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Dangers in the Ocean: The Traveler and Marine Envenomation. II. Marine Vertebrates

1998; Oxford University Press; Volume: 5; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1708-8305.1998.tb00510.x

1708-8305

Peter J. Fenner,

Healthcare and Venom Research

Envenomation both from jellyfish and other marine animals causes human deaths and severe morbidity in many countries in the world having tropical, or subtropical waters.In part I1 the world distribution of venomous marine vertebrates is discussed, together with simple first aid and effective medical treatment.Suggestions are made for the awareness and prevention of marine envenomation.With travel becoming more popular than ever, general practitioners and travel medicine consultants must routinely advise their patients on the worldwide hazards of marine envenomation. Marine AnimalsLarge numbers of fatalities occur worldwide from marine animals (Table I).'Both awareness of the problem and knowledge of the distribution of these animals are important for the traveler.First aid treatment effectively divides marine animd envenomation into 2 groups: (a) Those depositing a large amount of venom into one area so that compression/immobilization bandaging becomes effective.These include blue-ringed octopus, sea snakes and cone shells.(b) Those with venomous spines, where hot water treatment is effective.These include any marine animal with venomous spines, especially stingrays and stonefish. (a) Cornpression/lmrnobilization BandagingBlue-Ringed Octopus