Envenomation by box Jelly fish

Abstract

During the month of August 2016, two cases of envenomation by jellyfishes were reported from Dhanushkodi and Rameswaram. In the Dhanuskodi incident, two fishermen were stung by jellyfish tentacles attached to the gill net they were operating. Initially both these fishermen felt that the pain due to the sting would go within a few hours. However their pain started to increase with severe low back pain, excruciating muscle cramps and nausea. This kind of pain development due to jellyfish sting is characteristic of Irukandji syndrome. Enquiries with local fishermen revealed that a box jellyfish locally known as “ Naalu Moolai Sori” was responsible. In the second incidence, a fisherman working in a trawler was stung when he handled the box jellyfish in the catch.