Over 40 venomous bluebottle ‘jellyfish’ (not technically jellyfish, and also known as Portuguese Man O War and Stingers) have been found at Patong Beach, with local officials urging beachgoers to exercise caution.
The bluebottles have been found in shallow water, pushed ashore by strong winds, according to officials from the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre. The centre was alerted to the presence of the creatures on Saturday evening, August 31.
Representatives of the DMCR, accompanied by lifeguards from Patong Surf Life Saving, arrived at the beach to find around 40 bluebottles near the shoreline. The Bangkok Post reports that to date, there have been no reports of people being stung as yet.
The DMCR has issued leaflets to the public, including tourists, and to local businesses, warning swimmers of the presence of the bluebottles. Lifeguards say they are prepared to provide first-aid if called upon and will continue to monitor the jellyfish situation at Patong Beach, including bluebottles.
The sting of a bluebottle, while not deadly, can cause severe pain, with the blue tentacles leaving whip-like lashes and sores on the affected area. When it’s also rough, the seas can break up the creature, leaving thousands of single ‘stingers’ floating around the waves causing smaller, annoying stings.
The advice for treating a sting is to wash the area with seawater and immerse the skin in hot water (shower temperature) for around 20 minutes, then cover it with a dry cold pack to relieve pain. Experts say vinegar should not be used on bluebottle stings, as distinct from other jellyfish stings.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
