The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reminded the public specially beachgoers to take precautionary measures when swimming at sea due to swarms of jellyfish during this time of the year.
“Habang marami ang nagtutungo sa mga beach at dagat upang magpalamig ngayong summer, mahalagang maging maingat laban sa mapanganib na Box Jellyfish o “Sea Wasp” — isa sa pinaka-makamandag na lamang-dagat sa mundo,” the BFAR warned.
It further said that in some cases, it caused death to individuals exposed to these jellyfishes, if untreated.
“Ang kanilang mga galamay ay maaaring magdulot ng matinding pananakit, hirap sa paghinga, at sa malalang kaso ay maaaring ikamatay kung hindi agad maagapan,” the BFAR further warned.
Ryan, who previously worked as a city government employee narrated that on May. 10, Sunday, he and his family spent the weekend in a beach located in Brgy. Tigman, Aborlan, Palawan. Later he found out that his son was stung by a jellyfish.
“The tentacles had wrapped around his legs, reaching close to his groin area. I became very nervous when I saw him collapse while I carried him toward a nearby kubo. There was no sari-sari store nearby where we could buy vinegar, though the caretaker of a closed resort managed to give us about a quarter bottle of vinegar,” Ryan said in his post.
He said that he applied vinegar to his son’s legs but he noticed that he became pale and his face turn dark. He recounted that he immediately performed CPR when he barely feel any pulse. When his son cried loudly after being unconscious, they brought him to Aborlan Medicare Hospital.
The BFAR likewise warned beachgoers not to swim or go away from areas where there are presence of these jellyfishes. It also advised to wear protective clothing when necessary.
“Huwag hahawak sa jellyfish kahit ito ay patay o naanod sa pampang at kapag natusok, agad humingi ng medikal na tulong,” the BFAR further warned.
