Beaches on both the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, located near Australia's city of Brisbane, Queensland, have been closed over reports of thousands of swimmers being stung by jellyfish-like creatures, known locally as bluebottles.
Known scientifically as Physalia physalis and Physalia utriculus, these two primitive marine species possess stingers that can easily paralyze fish and inflict serious pain on humans. Unusual oceanic swell conditions have washed tens of thousands of the organisms ashore, causing injuries to thousands of people over a single weekend, according to SBS News.
"I have never seen anything like this — ever," Surf Life Saving duty officer Jeremy Sturges told reporters, describing the situation as "epidemic."
Despite that lifeguards closed beaches, Sturges warned that even those of the organisms that washed ashore nonetheless remain a serious danger.
Detached bluebottles stingers remain capable of stinging hours and even days after removal or death of the main organism.
"People have been hurt as they just walk along the shoreline. Don't pick it up, don't walk on it or you will be stung," Sturges said.
Bluebottle stings usually cause severe pain to humans, leaving red whip-like welts on skin. Normally, the pain subdues after several hours and markings go away in a couple of days. However, should the venom travel to the lymph nodes, it can cause symptoms similar to a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the larynx, airway blockage, cardiac distress, and an inability to breathe. Cases of death have been recorded, but scientists say they are extremely rare.
"Not everyone reacts the same way but there have been very serious reactions," Sturges told the reporters.
According to Surf Life Saving Queensland recommendations, people who suffer a bluebottle sting should remove stingers, quickly take a very hot shower and then apply ice to the affected area.