The Australian health department said on March 4 that a boy died after being bitten by a box jellyfish known as the "transparent killer of the ocean", the first such death in Australia in 15 years.
The 17-year-old was reportedly stung on Feb. 22 while swimming in Bamaga, a remote community at the tip of Cape York, Australia's northernmost tip. Police said the injured boy was later flown by helicopter to a hospital and died on March 1.
The Australian box jellyfish, also known as the Sea Wasp, is the most poisonous creature in the world, with more than 5,000 spine cells on as many as 60 tentacles, and the neurotoxins released by the spike cells are more poisonous than cobras, enough to kill 60 people.
Australian box jellyfish
Because of its transparent appearance, box jellyfish are difficult to find in the water and are known as the "marine transparent killer". It is mainly found in the tropical waters of northern Australia, where local governments warn swimmers to stay out of the ocean during the summer "stinging season" or wear "heavily armed" protective swimsuits.
Marine biologist Lisa-Ann Gershwin said it was Australia's first recorded case of box jellyfish death since 2006.
Signs outside a hotel in Darwin warn of the dangers of box jellyfish
"Unfortunately, previous deaths also occurred in Bamaga." Gershwin added that death could have been avoided, but people living far from cities were the most vulnerable.
Scientists are working to find more effective antidotes and ways to protect against box jellyfish attacks.
Nandu reporter Shi Minglei