Beachgoers in Volusia County, Florida, were stung hundreds of times by jellyfish over the Memorial Day weekend.
Around 99 people suffered stings over Saturday and Sunday, Volusia County Beach Safety Deputy Chief AJ Miller told WOFL-TV. Most of the stings were mild but some victims were hospitalized, VCBS officials said.
As of Wednesday, 367 people were stung on county beaches, VCBS Director Tammy Malphurs told WKMG-TV.
The area, Ms. Malphurs said, is experiencing a periodic surge in the number of jellyfish, which includes multiple species. They are brought in by currents and stay, depending on conditions in the area.
“Our guards go out there to swim first thing in the morning and that kind of is the indicator of if the jellyfish are still out there. A bunch of them got stung this morning so they’re still out there. We are flying that red and purple flag today. The purple flag is for stinging marine life,” Ms. Malphurs told WKMG-TV.
Beach lifeguards have jugs of vinegar on hand to treat the stings, she said.
A 30-second or longer vinegar rinse applied quickly can deactivate the jellyfish’s stinger before it expels poison into the affected area, the U.S. Navy said in a 2013 document.
