A swarm of jellyfish is making waves at the Jersey Shore after several swimmers were stung. According to News 12, what looked like the perfect weekend for a dip turned into a different story on Saturday, when jellyfish washed up along beaches in Ocean and Monmouth counties as beachgoers tried to enjoy the water. The broadcaster reported on what people should know and how to treat a sting.
News 12 reported that the jellyfish responsible for the stings are sometimes called purple meanies and that they deliver a really heavy, powerful sting. According to the report, this is the first time the stinging jellyfish have shown up this summer along the New Jersey beaches, catching some swimmers by surprise as they went into the water.
The broadcaster shared photos from a resident in Brick Township whose son got stung, and noted that he is not alone. According to News 12, people have been posting about stings and jellyfish sightings up and down the shore, describing encounters with the creatures at several points along the coastline as the weekend went on.
According to News 12, the safety supervisor in Asbury Park said multiple people have been stung over the last couple of days. The report said the stings were happening on beachgoers' legs, backs and shoulders, underlining that swimmers were being caught out in different ways as they waded or swam in the affected waters.
Experts told News 12 that seeing jellyfish at this time of year is actually pretty common. According to the report, moon jellies were also spotted, and those are relatively innocuous and do not hurt anybody. One person described picking the moon jellies up and putting them back in the water, distinguishing them from the jellyfish that sting.
Even so, News 12 reported that some beachgoers said they are thinking twice before getting in, with one saying they want to swim less for sure. According to the report, the concern comes down to the fact that the stinging jellyfish have a really powerful sting, which has left some visitors more cautious about entering the water.
For anyone who does get stung, experts told News 12 there are a few steps to follow. According to the report, they recommend applying vinegar, which stops the stinging cells that have not yet fired off, then rinsing in saltwater, or the water you are in, to remove any remaining tentacles. After wiping the skin clear, they advise applying a hot compress, as hot as you can get it. The report was filed by Jennifer Porto Real for News 12 New Jersey.