BANGKOK, 22 May 2019 (NNT) – Jellyfish washing up on beaches are another problem found during the rainy season, especially the deadly box jellyfish. Nine agencies have formed a network to develop knowledge and understanding of how to prevent injury from jellyfish venom.
The nine agencies are the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Naval Medical Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Department of Local Administration, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Chiang Mai University, Burapha University and Mahidol University. They signed a memorandum of understanding on the sustainable prevention of injuries from poisonous jellyfish in Thailand in order to be on alert for poisonous jellyfish and reduce deaths and injuries by providing training, producing media and creating network partners, especially the community, to help people avoid being stung by jellyfish.
From 1999 to 2015, at least 40 people were severely injured by jellyfish poison. Eight of them died of box jellyfish venom. Box jellyfish are found in 12 provinces including Krabi, Chumphon, Trang, Phetchaburi, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pattani, Phuket, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Rayong.
A preliminary measure for treating jellyfish venom is cleaning wounds with vinegar, because it will destroy the venom. If the victims have a heart attack, it is necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and take them to hospital as soon as possible.
