- 88 on Beara beech
- 40 on Keel Strand
- Third epidemic in irish waters after 1903 and 1945
Irish Water Safety have put out warnings about the potentially dangerous Portuguese man-of-war, they look like jellyfish but are actually a collection of tiny specialised organisms that each perform different functions and cannot survive independently, making up something that acts like a larger organism. They have a venomous sting that will leave red welts on the skin for two to three days, and can lead to serious allergic reactions, fever, shock, and problems with heart and lung problems. While they are more commonly found in tropical regions, they have no means of propulsion and are carried by the waters and winds- which means that the good weather we are having will bring them to us. Swimmers, surfers, and paddlers are warned to be cautious and check updates before getting into the water.
If you see a man-of-war, avoid it. Pieces of the tentacles can become detached from the main body of the sipohophore and can drift by themselves, and will sting just as much when detached or even dead.
If you are stung, medical attention is advisable, particularly if pain is intense or persistent, you can see an extreme local reaction, the rash gets worse, you feel unwell generally, red streaks develop around the sting, or if the sting or the nearest lymph nodes become red, warm, and tender. Irish Water Safety recommends NOT using vinegar on the sting, as this will worsen the symptoms. Wash the area with lots of salt water or saline after removing any tentacle remnants from the skin (using gloves and tweezers- they can still sting), and apply warm water (45 degrees centigrade). Watch here interview with John Leech of Irish Water Safety.
- Watch here interview with John Leech
