Stonefish stings in Australia
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Stonefish stings in Australia can cause poisoning and death if not treated. The stonefish is the most venomous fish in the world.[1] The stonefish has venom in its dorsal spines; when stepped on by a human, the venom is forced into the foot. Most stonefish stings occur when stepped on. It is less common for the fish to sting when it is picked up.[2] Stonefish stings can occur on the beach, not just in the water, with stonefish being able to stay out of the water for up to 24 hours. They often cannot be seen easily as they look similar to rocks or coral. Stonefish antivenom is the second most administered in Australia.[3]
Aborigines knew of the venom of the stonefish and had corroborees which involve re-enacting death from someone who trod on the fish. The Aborigines of Northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef had different ways of preparing the fish for eating to avoid poisoning. [4]
After stonefish poisoning, the amount of anti-venom given depends on the number of puncture wounds from the stonefish spines.[5]
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[edit] Number of Incidents
There were 25 cases of the use of antivenom for stonefish reported to Commonwealth Serum Laboratories for a one-year period between July 1989 and June 1990, with most from Queensland and four from the Northern Territory.[6] There were 14 calls to the Queensland Poisons Information System in 2008 regarding stonefish poison.[7]
[edit] Fatal incidents
| Name, age | Date | Species | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr J.L. Wassell | 'some years' before 1936 | Great Barrier Reef[8] | |
| 1915 | Thursday Island[9] |
[edit] Non-fatal incidents
Some notable non-fatal incidents which have appeared in reliable sources are listed below:
| Name, age | Date | Species | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-year-old girl | 2007 | Mooloolaba, Queensland[10] | |
| 3-year-old boy | October 2004 | Moreton Island[11] |
[edit] Reference
- ^ Stonefish Envenomation, adventure medicine
- ^ CSL Stonefish Antivenom
- ^ Stone Fish slk320
- ^ The Poisonous Stone Fish Dreaded Denizen of the North The Argus 14 March 1936
- ^ Stonefish antivenom product information
- ^ Marine Bites and Stings Dr Mark Little
- ^ annual report 2008, Queensland Poisons Information Centre
- ^ The Poisonous Stone Fish Dreaded Denizen of the North The Argus 14 March 1936
- ^ Marine Bites and Stings Dr Mark Little
- ^ Close call with stonefish news.com.au February 02, 2007
- ^ Stonefish poisons boy SMH Oct 11 2004
[edit] External links
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