Woman discharged following second Irukandji jellyfish sting in four days

A woman has been discharged from hospital following the second instance of an Irukandji jellyfish sting in a matter of days in north Queensland. 

The 27-year-old woman was released from hospital yesterday morning after she was stung in the Whitsundays region around 12pm on Tuesday. 

She was airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital via the RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter with a critical care paramedic onboard, reportedly sustaining stings on both her legs. 

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A rescue helicopter spokeswoman confirmed that during transport the woman had experienced "a number of health impacts that are synonymous with Irukandji syndrome". 

The rare incident comes after a young girl was stung by an Irukandji jellyfish this last weekend at Magnetic Island, just off Townsville. 

She was airlifted off the island to Townsville Hospital before being discharged this past Monday.

The twin events in the past week have triggered calls from Surf Life Saving Queensland for swimmers to be aware and properly prepared while swimming in stinger season waters.

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"It's really important that beachgoers take all steps possible to protect themselves in and around the water during stinger season which runs from November to May." Jennifer Rees, SLSQ Regional Operations Manager North Queensland told 9News.

"We encourage anyone entering the water to wear protective clothing such as a wetsuit or lycra bodysuit."

"Any swimmers who are stung should immediately notify the lifeguards or lifesavers on duty."

The Irukandji is a small jellyfish about 2cm in diameter.

According to Queensland Ambulance, symptoms of a sting include:

• severe backache or headache
• shooting pains in their muscles, chest and abdomen
• nausea
• anxiety
• restlessness
• vomiting
• breathing difficulties