I always thought Irukandji and box jellyfish risks were "strictly" limited to specific geographic areas and certain months of the year.
It seems Irukadji are found down as far south as Brisbane, and typically sends 50-100 people to hospital each year. Some people are stung just wading in shallow water. As for seasons, quoting a government web site:
"Experts prefer not to use the term "stinger season" as this implies that jellyfish are only prevalent during this time. Stings have occurred at all times of the year, however are more prevalent during the months of November to May."
So I'm confused - the above says they are "prevalent" all the time, just "more prevalent" from Nov to May.
How do Queensland locals, and our sailing friends north of Noosa, handle the risk ?
Swim only with full body stinger suit ?
Swim only in winter & south of Gladstone ?
Jump in with impunity any time and anywhere you like ?
I think its about water temps. Warmer the water, the more likely youll get stingers
Select to expand quoteKarsten said..
I always thought Irukandji and box jellyfish risks were "strictly" limited to specific geographic areas and certain months of the year.
It seems Irukadji are found down as far south as Brisbane, and typically sends 50-100 people to hospital each year. Some people are stung just wading in shallow water. As for seasons, quoting a government web site:
"Experts prefer not to use the term "stinger season" as this implies that jellyfish are only prevalent during this time. Stings have occurred at all times of the year, however are more prevalent during the months of November to May."
So I'm confused - the above says they are "prevalent" all the time, just "more prevalent" from Nov to May.
How do Queensland locals, and our sailing friends north of Noosa, handle the risk ?
Swim only with full body stinger suit ?
Swim only in winter & south of Gladstone ?
Jump in with impunity any time and anywhere you like ?
there is always a risk in certain areas. how much protection you use depends on how risk averse you are, and how much time you spend in the water. i've never had a brush with an Irukandji, but by all accounts it is one of the less pleasant experiences in life.
as far as the use of the word "prevalent" goes, that paragraph is poorly written. "prevalent" means widespread or common, however "prevalence" in epidemiology refers to the proportion of people effected by a particular condition, so something can be high or low prevalence.
