Baby airlifted to hospital and girl, 3, stung in deadly jellyfish attack

16 January 2024 , 12:05

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Fraser Island (Image: Getty Images)

A baby has been airlifted to hospital and a three-year-old girl was only saved thanks to an Epipen after both were stung by a deadly jellyfish in a spate to attacks.

The infant was with her family at K'gari, a popular tourist destination in Australia formerly known as Fraser Island, on Monday. She was treated by paramedics at the scene but then taken by air to the Hervey Bay Hospital. The mum of three-year-old Luna Murray', who was also stung, has now called for better warnings at the beach.

Both girls are thought to have fallen foul of the Irukandji jellyfish, one of the deadliest creatures in the world. They are box jellyfish which contain harmful toxins, which cause severe pain and can lead to unconsciousness as well as cardiac arrest. Luna had an allergic reaction to the sting and went into anaphylactic shock.

Luna's mum Jacqui told ABC News: "As soon as [Luna] came out of the water, she said, 'the saltwater's stinging me'. I immediately ripped off her bathers and I could see the bites on her body were significant, about six by six inches [15 centimetres] on her tummy, one under her arm and one in her bikini area."

Box jellyfish (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Ms Murray gave Luna antihistamines and paracetamol but her symptoms became worse. She said Luna was "foaming at the mouth," vomiting and "going in and out of consciousness" when called emergency services. Luna spent three days in hospital and her mum is now calling on authorities to do more.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Queensland Ambulance Service said their paramedics were called to five separate incidents involving beachgoers being stung by the Irukandji jellyfish. A spokeswoman said: "Several of these cases have resulted in evacuation by rescue helicopter. Holiday revellers are encouraged to be aware and stinger-smart if entering the water, including wearing long sleeve swimwear."

Kelly-Ann Mills