Thirty cases of Irukandji envenomation from far north Queensland

Abstract

AbstractThe Irukandji jelly fish (Carukia barnesi) is responsible for a significant number of envenomations in northern Australia during the summer. Emergency physicians in these coastal areas frequently manage patients who have been envenomed by this potentially serious marine creature. The jelly fish is small (its bell is up to 2.5cm across) but the tentacles may be up to half a metre in length. It is rarely seen before envenomating. The sting usually initially causes localised pain followed by systemic symptoms known as the ‘Irukandji syndrome’, which include potentially life threatening pulmonary oedema. This article discusses Irukandji envenomation and its treatment, and reviews our experience in treating 30 patients who presented to the Emergency Department of Cairns Base Hospital in December of 1996 having been stung by the Irukandji. Of these cases, 27 (90%) patients developed systemic symptoms (the Irukandji syndrome) and 19 (63%) required admission. Twelve (40%) patients required more than 100mg of titrated, intravenous pethidine to relieve the pain. There were no cases of pulmonary oedema. All patients were discharged home well within 24 hours.