NORTH Stradbroke Island rangers are warning Moreton Bay residents and visitors to be on the lookout for morbakka jellyfish after finding one in shallows.
National park rangers saw a morbakka at Swan Bay on the southern end of North Stradbroke (Minjerribah).
The morbakka is native to Moreton Bay and has been formally described and classified only in recent years.
Its sting has been associated with severe irukandji syndrome and can make victims extremely ill.
Darren Burns, the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation joint management coordinator for Quandamooka Aboriginal country, said a higher level of public awareness was needed about morbakka.
“It is often described as rare, but it’s a dangerous animal with a nasty sting and anyone in and around the waters of Moreton Bay should be aware it is always a risk,’’ he said.
“We have had a number of serious stings over the years and we don’t want to see anyone in the kind of distress the venom causes.
“Anyone who is stung or thinks they were stung should seek immediate medical assistance.
“Being an irukandji sting, the symptoms can sometimes take half an hour or so to start, but when they do they are very unpleasant and distressing.’’
Morbakka symptoms include severe lower back pain, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, sweating, cramps and spasms.
The morbakka grows to about 15cm long and is usually found in isolation rather than swarms.
Redland City Council says no fatalities from morbakka have been recorded in the Redlands, however all incidents have required urgent medical assistance. One case required life support.
If you see a morbakka get out of the water and alert others immediately. If stung call 000, administer CPR if needed and flood the sting with vinegar. It does not relieve pain but neutralises the discharge system of stinging cells, possibly saving your life.
In December 2014 three people were stung at Wellington Point and over past weeks stonefish have been found at nearby Raby Bay.
Queensland Museum scientist Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin says the occurrence of mobakka suggests south-east Queensland might not be as stinger safe as people have assumed.
Morbakka were formally named and classified in 2008 although they had been known about since the 1980s.
They are found from Port Douglas in the far north south to Sydney, NSW.
They have been most frequently seen at Redcliffe but also at Stradbroke, Mackay and the Gold and Sunshine coasts.
