Two children have been stung by the potentially deadly Irukandji jellyfish in what are believed to be the first incidents of the season in Western Australia.
A sting triggers a massive rush of adrenaline which drives up the heart rate and causes excruciating pain.
The two children were swimming on different days at Honeymoon Cove, near the Pilbara town of Point Samson, when they were stung.
Dr John Stedman helped treat them at Nickol Bay Hospital.
“When they arrived they were both suffering from quite severe generalised pain, which is a common feature of Irukandji syndrome, as we call it,” he said.
“And they both had quite high pulse rates for children.”
Dr Stedman said a quick response is essential.
“If there’s suspicion of a sting, vinegar should be applied as first aid if available, to the sting site,” he said.
“And we’d suggest that if they develop severe pain in sites distant to the sting, then they should definitely attend hospital, because there’s a good chance that it is an Irukandji that has stung them.”
He said both children responded well to treatment and were sent home.
Irukandji are small but highly toxic jellyfish that bloom in the warm waters of the northern wet season.
They are on record as causing two deaths in Queensland.
The wet season months are the most high-risk time for jellyfish stings as the water temperature can sit above 30 degrees Celsius for much of the day.
Some locals continue to take a daily dip in the ocean at locations like Broome’s Cable Beach.
Residents in northern Australia who swim in the ocean are advised to wear full-body stinger suits through to April.