Global Warming Bringing Lethal Jellyfish Closer to US Eastern Seaboard

Global warming, an issue scientists have raised for many years, has marine researchers taking a closer look at the potential health dangers jellyfish may pose to beach goers and dive enthusiasts around the world in the years to come.

The jellyfish's translucent appearance makes it extremely difficult to be seen in the water. For this reason most people stung by a jellyfish aren't even aware of the danger lurking nearby until they brush up against the jellyfish's tentacles as it is pushed along the water by the current. Spotting these dangerous sea inhabitants sooner would be helpful to avoid bumping into them however some jellyfish tentacles can grow up to 80 cm! If you're close enough to see these jellyfish you're already within their reach and stand a good chance of being stung as they pass by.

As ocean temperatures rise and water currents change from global warming, some very lethal jellyfish are migrating closer to North Carolina shoreline from the Caribbean according to Vicki J. Martin, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University. This additional influx of jellyfish increases the risk for coming in contact with beach goer's as they splash about in the ocean. The gelatinous looking jellyfish seems harmless floating in the water, however, reality paints a different picture.

Ask anyone who has bumped into a jellyfish while enjoying a day at the beach and you will quickly understand why making friends with a jellyfish is not a good idea. Coming into contact with a jellyfish tentacle is met with an immediate sting and release of venom from the jellyfish. The venom can trigger a variety of responses when it's toxins enter the body depending on which type of jellyfish you've come in contact with.

Most jellyfish spotted off US coastlines possess a less dangerous venom than those found in other parts of the world. Being stung by one of these jellyfish, which are classified as belonging to the Scyphozoan class of jellyfish, results with an intense, stinging pain, itching, rash and raised welts. These symptoms can last from one or two hours to a few days. In some instances victims may experience additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, abdominal pain, numbness or tingling and muscle spasms.

Jellyfish classified as belonging to the Cubozoa class of jellyfish such as the box jellyfish and irukandji, which are often found in the tropical waters off the northern coast of Australia, Asia, Indo-Pacific region and the Caribbean possess an extremely lethal venom capable of killing its victim in a very short time as was the case for British tourist Richard Jordan in February 2002. Jordan, who was vacationing with his wife, was stung by an irukandji in the waters off Hamilton Island in northern Australia.

Three months after Jordan's ill fated sting, American Robert King of Columbus, Ohio suffered the same fate as Jordan while snorkeling in the waters of Australia's famous Great Barrier Reef. Initially doctors blamed the irukandji with ending King's life, however, upon closer examination of the stinger cells collected from the clothing King had been wearing at the time of being stung, marine biologist Dr. Lisa-ann Gershwin instead found King had actually been stung by a different jellyfish from the Cubozoa class belonging to the genus group Malo.

The initial misdiagnosis is easy to understand given that King's symptoms were the same as those observed in patients stung by the irukandji. These symptoms, referred to as irukandji syndrome, include an increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure. Unfortunately, with the exception of the box jellyfish, which has been responsible for more than 5,000 recorded deaths since 1954, there is no anti-venom available for treating the lethal sting of jellyfish belonging to the Cubozoa class.

Research on the venomous species belonging to the Cubozoa class is limited. This lack of knowledge and the differences in the venom of each species belonging to the Cubozoa class is something we should all be concerned about. Why? As these lethal sea creatures come closer to man due to the warmer waters and changing water currents resulting from global warming as well as over fishing which has caused a decrease in marine creatures preying on the jellyfish such as tuna, shark, swordfish and sea turtles there is a very real potential we could see an increase in the number of lives lost in the years to come.

Exactly how many lives will be cut short from bumping into one of these lethal sea creatures as they expand their horizons remains to be seen. However, common sense tells us that as the risk for coming into contact with the box jellyfish, irukandji and other species belonging to the Cubozoa class of jellyfish increases along the US eastern seaboard as a result of global warming so to does the risk for being stung. Let's hope marine researcher like Gershwin and Martin are able to find the necessary anti-venom able to treat victims stung by the irukandji and other dangerous jellyfish lurking in our oceans in the near future.

References

Appalachian professor grows and studies box jellyfish
Deadly irukandji outed by scientist
Briton Richard Jordan killed by irukandji sting
Jellyfish Stings Causes Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention