Irukandji Jellyfish

The extremely deadly Irukandji jellyfish is one of a number of closely related box jellyfish species. They are the smallest and one of the most dangerous jellyfish in the world, with adult sizes that are only a little over 1 cm3. They live in Australia's northern marine waters. They have the ability to inject their stingers into their victim, resulting in the potentially lethal disease known as Irukandji syndrome. There are approximately 16 species of Irukandji that are recognized, the most well-known of which are Carukia barnesi, Malo Kingi, Malo maxima, Malo Filipina, and Malo Bella.

Two persons have died from the Irukandji syndrome in the past. It is crucial to get medical assistance right away if you experience any Irukandiji jellyfish symptoms since this is what will happen if you are not hospitalized and treated. The syndrome manifests as nausea, anxiety, sweating, cramping, and lower back discomfort.

The Irukandji jellyfish can be found in Australia's northern waters. On Australia's east coast, the southernmost point of the Irukandji's range has been gradually shifting southward. Irukandji stings have been observed more frequently near Great Palm Island, which is off the coast of north Queensland close to Townsville. Early in December 2020, there had been reported 23, nearly twice as many stings than there had been in all of 2019, at 12. Given that the species' symptoms have been observed off the shores of Florida, Japan, and Britain, some are thought to have moved farther north.