To the Editor: Box jellyfish envenomation, particularly from Chironex fleckeri, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality across coastal areas of northern Australia.1 The distribution of C. fleckeri extends from Broome (18°S) on the Western Australian coast, across the Northern Territory coast and down the east coast of Queensland, at least as far as Gladstone (26°S).
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- 1. Williamson JA, Fenner PJ, Burnett JW, Rifkin JF, editors. Venomous and poisonous marine animals — a medical and biological handbook. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press, 1996.
- 2. Barnes JH. Chironex fleckeri and Chiropsalmus quadrigatus — morphological distinctions. North Queensland Naturalist 1965; 32: 13-22.
- 3. O'Reilly GM, Isbister GK, Lawrie PM, et al. Prospective study of jellyfish stings from tropical Australia, including the major box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri. Med J Aust 2001; 175: 652-655. <eMJA full text>
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Thanks to Gabe Schraven and Denis French, from Gove Hospital Pathology, and members of the Gove Peninsula Surf Life-Saving Club who helped collect and transport the jellyfish.