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| Briton killed by tiny jellyfish A British tourist has died after being stung by a jellyfish off Hamilton Island in northern Australia. The 58-year-old man suffered a brain haemorrhage after he came into contact with the tiny but highly toxic Irukandji jellyfish earlier this week. He was airlifted from the island for treatment on the mainland after falling into a coma. The death is the first confirmed case in Australia following the sting of an Irukandji, which is the size of a peanut and barely visible to the human eye. But scientists say this has been the worst season for the jellyfish in several years and they believe it could be behind many unexplained fatalities. A postmortem examination of the victim, who has not yet been named, is expected to be carried out on Friday. Scores of people are stung by the jellyfish in northern Australia every year and the effects usually include increased heart rate and blood pressure. Other symptoms include backache, muscle pains, chest and abdominal pains, headache, nausea, vomiting and sweating. Doctors say venom from the jellyfish may have triggered a pre-existing medical condition in the man who died. It is thought the sting could have aggravated the victim's previous ill health and left him vulnerable to the toxin. Scientists are working to find an antidote to the Irukandji's poison, but their efforts have been hampered because so few of the creatures have ever been caught. 1st February 2002 |
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