Fatal envenomation by jellyfish causing Irukandji syndrome

Abstract

We report the first of two recent deaths from Irukandji syndrome. A 58-year-old male tourist was stung on the face and chest by an unidentified jellyfish in shallow water off the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland. He developed muscle cramps, sweating, anxiety, nausea and hypertension, and died 30 hours later from intracerebral haemorrhage.