Box Jellyfish Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines & The Region

Box jellyfish are most probably, though officially unnamed, the species responsible for the death of a 5-year old French boy in Malaysia this week.   Sadly, the tragic news comes as no surprise with Malaysia still unwilling to create a network of awareness including effective prevention and treatment systems as its neighbour Thailand has done with considerable success. The boy was playing or wading in shallow water at Teluk Nipah beach on Pangkor Island with his family when he was struck by the jellyfish. He screamed in agony and was taken onto the sand where he lapsed into unconsciousness. Taken to the local health clinic, the boy was officially pronounced dead within 45 minutes.  We are sorry to say that this scenario is typical of a box jellyfish sting - a child, shallow sandy beach, an agonising scream, panicked parents, no understanding of proper treatment, shocking painful death. We are also sorry to say that this scenario is avoidable. It does not need to happen. Government depa