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Jellyfish sighted on Baga beach, tourists warned

the goan I network | AUGUST 04, 2018, 01:42 AM IST

PANAJI

Lifeguards on Baga beach spotted a cluster of Portuguese-Man-Of-War, a jelly-like marine organism commonly known as Bluebottle or Floating Terror, which washed ashore on the beach. They have warned tourists and locals alike to avoid the beach.

The Bluebottles, jelly-like marine organisms that were spotted, were less than an inch in size. The lifeguards from Drishti Marine, the lifeguard service deployed across the State, alerted the tourism department about the same.

Drishti Marine has advised locals as well as tourists not to enter the water on Baga beach as the Bluebottle jellyfish could possibly be present on the shoreline. Even wading into the waters is not advisable during the monsoon months as the sea and weather conditions are not favourable for swimming, it added.

Marine animals, jellyfish are of two kinds -- toxic and non-toxic. And while most jellyfish stings are harmless to humans and cause only mild irritation, species like Bluebottle are venomous and can cause harm on contact. A dead Bluebottle washed up on shore can deliver a sting.

Drishti Marine has advised in case a person is stung, immediately wash the stung area with hot water (as hot as one can stand) as heat breaks down the toxins.

Generously spray the stung area with vinegar. It is known to diffuse any poison that may be more active in the nematocysts present in the tentacles.

Place ice packs on the stung area to reduce the pain and swelling. In case of chest pain and breathing difficulty, visit the doctor immediately, Drishti advised. 

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