Purple Jellyfish: Who is most at risk in the event of a sting – When will the recession come

One of the issues that concerns the Greeks has to do with the presence of large populations of purple jellyfish close to many coastal areas of Greece…

This issue has multilevel effects as it concerns bathers, it creates serious effects on local economies, while there should be special management if someone comes in direct contact with a purple jellyfish.

The larissanet talked to him Dimitris Vafeidis, Professor of Marine Biodiversity and President of the Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment of the University of Thessaly, who cites the causes that led to the purple jellyfish population explosion, presents its estimates of the course of the phenomenon, while answering the question of whether there is a possibility of a “second wave” in coastal areas. At the same time, it talks about what the treatment of the swimmer in case he receives a sting from a purple jellyfish.

High temperatures and overfishing

«It’s a phenomenon that started a month ago with sharp rise in temperature. This phenomenon was relatively unusual in the past, but in recent decades high temperatures are observed in May. This situation combined with overfishing of large predators – tuna, bonito, swordfish – leads to the result of having these population explosionsHe notes.

Regarding the areas that face, for the time being, the most acute problem, D. Vafeidis mentions the Attica, the Cyclades, purple jellyfish appeared in Chalcidice, Corinthianwhile there is evidence for areas of the Ionian Sea. «These impressions are not timed at the same time in all areas. The population explosion is exclusively related to local factors and results in areas that manifested the phenomenon in early May, while others in the middle, at the end of last month or in early June.“Emphasizes the Professor of Marine Biodiversity and adds that”the most important factor is the increase of the sea temperature “. He even mentions the fact that his colleagues pointed out that in mid-May a surface water temperature was recorded in Thermaikos that reached 26 degrees, “is something very unusual for the season. This high temperature varies from region to region, so there is a lag in the manifestation of the phenomenon with purple jellyfish in different places in Greece. emphasizes.

Estimates for the evolution of the phenomenon

Of particular interest are the assessments made by D. Vafeidis regarding the further course of the purple jellyfish phenomenon, while giving an answer to the possibility of a second wave this summer: «This population explosion is followed by a sharp decline. It is a given that climatic conditions will change. It is a given that the wave action will intensify. Because what we see and what we perceive – something that is annoying in tourism and all the coastal economic activity – is about the purple jellyfish when they approach the shores. This is mainly due to the calm, as well as the currents that bring jellyfish to shore. When the weather changes – that is, when the intense wave action that is characteristic begins in early July – then we will indeed see a relaxation of the phenomenon. This does not mean that jellyfish will disappear immediately. The fact is, however, that the population explosion will be clear. At the same time, however, it is not excluded that there may be repetition of the phenomenon in the time period that we have traditionally seen every year. That is, we saw these population explosions during the high temperatures of July and August, but not in May».

In conclusion, the Professor of Marine Biodiversity emphasizes: “At the end of June – beginning of July we will see a relaxation of the phenomenon and we hope that this will not be repeated with the next rise in temperature that we will have in mid-July and August, a period during which these population explosions traditionally occur. there will be a second wave».

The crucial question is whether they exist ways to eliminate phenomena respectively with those recorded in the country and focusing on purple jellyfish: “Unfortunately, no. “Collection nets have been used in the Western Mediterranean outside tourist units, but it is a very expensive investment and with a very small result, so we would say with great certainty that the ways of intervention are left to Nature”.

He noted that we must avoid contact with purple jellyfish in any way. “Curiosity is a bad advisor. They are beautiful animals but they hide all these symptoms which force us to protect ourselves “.

How the sting is treated

Now the discussion with Mr. Vafeidis concerns painful consequences for anyone who is bitten by a purple jellyfish, as well as ways to deal with the situation: “These organisms contain a specialized group of cells, the urticaria. As soon as these cells are stimulated – mechanically or chemically – they launch tiny spears. Tiny spears invade the host – that is, they invade the victim – and depending on the toxin they contain can cause a number of effects. Purple jellyfish contain a neurotoxin, which is characterized by a very low pH, ie it is like throwing acid. And this is especially dangerous for those groups, which are vulnerable. We are talking about children and the elderly. To these should be added all those who have a vulnerability to allergic shocks or allergens “, emphasizes.

The sting causes inflammation, a local swelling and local increase in temperature. At the same time, it causes histamine burst, which can be so intense that it will cause allergic shock. That is why in the total swelling from the explosion of histamine we administer antihistamines.

«In this case, however, the first move we can make is to reduce the inflammation with it placing ice water or ice pack or ice. Let the inflammation go down and then clean as lightly as we can. Remove debris from the spears – which we do not see anyway – by doing a local cleaning, a local wash and then put something to neutralize the acid and it is nothing more than baking soda. Two drops of baking soda in a spoon are enough to make something like cream and we put this cream on the spot. At the same time, it is recommended use of antihistamines. Beyond that if there are more severe symptoms (nausea, headaches, vomiting, etc.) we should consult a specialist“, He underlines.

The Professor of Marine Biodiversity gives his own advice in order to protect bathers: «The first and most important thing is when we see purple jellyfish we should avoid them. At the same time, what we see is not the whole picture. These organisms are also found at greater depths that we may not have eye contact with. To think, that is, that we are in a relatively clean area and to be attacked or fall on them. What needs a lot of attention – when we spot them – is the fact that we should avoid the space, we should avoid the area. We should not get in touch with them. We should not take them out of the water. We should not approach them out of the water when we see them because these cells still have their activity. “Beyond that, bathers can have basic supplies with them – in case a family member suffers from these symptoms – an antihistamine or baking soda and all that as a precaution.”

In closing, Dimitris Vafeidis emphasizes: “Avoid contact with purple jellyfish in any way. Curiosity is a bad advisor. They are beautiful animals but on the other hand they hide all these symptoms which force us to protect ourselves “.