Malaysia's Rising Temperature Is Causing More People To Become Victims Of Jellyfish Sting
They have invaded the popular Tanjung Aru beach in Sabah.
By Sadho Ram — 31 Jan 2016, 05:51 PM
As if the rising temperature was not enough to discourage Malaysians from going out, a great jellyfish invasion, no thanks to the current El Niño phenomenon, on beaches here have also taken away any option of some outdoor fun and frolic from their lives
In fact, the jellyfish invasion at the popular Tanjung Aru beach in Sabah is showing absolutely no sign of abating. On Saturday, 30 January, a 9-year-old girl became the latest victim of a jellyfish sting, bringing the total reported cases to a total 22 so far this month.
Marshada Shirlin was stung on her right hand and leg by what is believed to be the more poisonous box jellyfish. She was immediately taken out of the water by lifeguards from the Department of Civil Defence who were alerted by the young girl’s screams for help at about 10.30am yesterday.
One of the lifeguards said after treating her with vinegar, her family then took her to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she was given outpatient treatment.
Lifeguards giving first aid to Marshada Shirlin after she was stung by a jellyfish at the popular Tanjung Aru beach in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday.
Image via The Star OnlineEarlier on 20 January, the Sabah Fisheries Department sent a team of experts from the Likas Fisheries Centre to investigate reports of jellyfish sting incidents and found two species
One of the species was identified as the chironomid box jellyfish (chorpsalmus quadrigatus) locally known as obor-obor api, which are known to be highly venomous and are neurotoxic, cardiotoxic and dermatonecrotic.
The other species is locally known as obor-obor pasir, a black spotted jellyfish similar to the Catostylus townsendi species.
Stings from their tentacles can cause itch and/or allergic reactions upon contact with skin, leading to inflammation and swelling on the affected part of the victim.
The first case on 9 January involved two boys aged 9 and 12 who were stung by jellyfish at the Tanjung Aru beach at 5.30pm. And on 18 January, a 12-year-old boy suffered jellyfish stings and two days later, a 12-year-old girl was stung at the same beach.
It is believed that many people could have been stung but did not go to the authorities after self-treatment by applying vinegar or lime on the affected part.
The jellyfish season is expected to persist at least until March due to the El Nino.