The clinical manifestations, outcome and identification of jellyfish stings in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Abstract

We carried out a descriptive study over one year on 62 fishermen stung by jellyfish while fishing. Most were aged under 60 years. The timing of the sting was mostly between midnight and 4am (32%). Clinical symptoms were mainly localised pain and burning (80%), itching (67%) and shortness of breath (42%). Almost all patients received antihistamines (97%) and steroids (87%). None of them needed intensive care; they needed only 1–2 days in hospital. Jellyfish identified in fishing nets were Catostylus mosaicus, Cynea capillata and moon jellyfish.