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SINGAPORE: Bathers are prohibited from entering the waters off Siloso Beach “until further notice” after seeing the dangerous box jellyfish on Friday (October 9), Sentosa Development Corporation said.
Beach patrol officers have also stepped up their regular surveillance of the island’s beaches and waters, a company spokesman said on Friday in response to inquiries from the CNA.
Box jellyfish, which have a painful and potentially fatal sting, have reportedly been sighted in Singapore’s waters several times this year.
READ: What you need to know about the dangerous box jellyfish
For their safety, visitors who see a jellyfish should not attempt to touch it and should alert other beach goers and shore beach patrol officers to its location, the spokesman said.
“If it stings, do not rub the affected area or use your fingers to remove the tentacles,” the spokesperson added.
Instead, beachgoers can contact beach patrol officers on shore for first aid assistance, or call the Sentosa Rangers at 1800-726-4377.
READ: Bathers and swimmers in various locations are advised to be vigilant after spotting dangerous box jellyfish
PREVIOUS INCIDENTS
In March, a woman was stung by a box jellyfish while swimming in the waters of the National Sailing Center in East Coast Park.
In a Facebook post, the woman said her muscles spasmed and she had difficulty breathing after the sting. The incident left red marks on his arms and legs.
Box jellyfish were also seen around the Pulau Seringat Pier and Lazarus Island, in the Tuas area, and around One Degree 15 Marina Sentosa Cove in three separate sightings in July.
READ: COVID-19: Sentosa Bathers Must Make Reservations During Peak Periods Starting Oct. 17
Box jellyfish are highly poisonous, Dr. Karenne Tun, director of the coastal and marine branch of the NParks National Center for Biodiversity, told CNA in July.
The animal’s bite is extremely painful and can cause severe hypertension, extreme low back pain, nausea, cardiac and respiratory arrest, he said. It can also cause deaths.
“If you are stung by a jellyfish, you should rinse the affected area with seawater or vinegar and do not try to remove the tentacles, and seek immediate medical attention,” said Dr. Tun.
He also said at the time that NParks was working with academic partners from the National University of Singapore to collect water samples from various coastal areas for environmental DNA analysis, to help detect the presence of the species in these areas.
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