A teenage girl is the fourth person in two days to be airlifted by the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew from K’gari (Fraser Island) with a marine sting.
The Bundaberg-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crew were tasked at around 1pm when they treated the girl following a suspected Irukandji sting to her hand.
The girl was flown to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition accompanied by her mother.
It was the same location where an infant was airlifted after being stung yesterday.
Medical Director at LifeFlight Retrieval Medicine Dr Jeff Hooper, said Irukandji stings are painful and systemic envenomation may cause symptoms such as vomiting, sweating and agitation.
“The sting may not be felt initially and local signs such as welts are minimal, compared to box jellyfish,” he said.
“A rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure and difficulty breathing can be severe effects.”
General advice from Queensland Ambulance Service
Apply vinegar to the site or if unavailable wash in sea water.
Don’t apply a pressure bandage.
Call 000 for help if experiencing severe pain or systemic symptoms.
