Jellyfish stings on Langkawi Island, Malaysia
- Author:
Mohd Azri Mohd Suan
;
Wei Leong Tan
;
Shahrul Aiman Soelar
;
Hour Pin Cheng
;
Munirah Osman
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Bathing beaches;
Cnidaria;
emergency care;
jellyfish stings;
Malaysia
- MeSH:
Cnidaria;
Cnidarian Venoms
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2016;71(4):161-165
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Jellyfish stings are the most frequently
reported marine animal envenomation worldwide. However,
data on jellyfish sting from Malaysia remains obscure due to
inadequate research.
Methods: We investigated the epidemiology, clinical features
and treatment of patients presenting at the emergency
department of Langkawi Hospital between January 2012 and
December 2014. Secondary data on the nature of the
incident, patient demographics, clinical presentation, and
treatment were retrieved from the patients’ medical records.
Descriptive statistics were presented for all patient
variables.
Results: A total of 759 patients presented with jellyfish
stings during the 3-year study period, with highest number
of visits in July, October, November, and December. The
mean patient age was 26.7 years (SD: 12.14), 59.4% were
men, 68.1% were foreigners or international tourists, and
40.4% were stung between 12.00 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. At least
90 patients presented with mild Irukandji or Irukandji-like
syndromes. Most of the jellyfish stings occurred at Chenang
Beach (590 reported cases), followed by Tengah Beach and
Kok Beach. Most patients were treated symptomatically, and
no deaths following a jellyfish sting was reported during the
study period.
Conclusion: There is a need for public health interventions
for both local and international tourists who visit Langkawi
Island. Preventive steps and education on initial treatment at
the incident site could elevate public awareness and
decrease the adverse effects of jellyfish stings.
- Full text:P020161107345456584977.pdf
