Holidaymakers warned over surge of deadly creature on British beaches

Rex

Swimmers and holidaymakers have been warned over a new surge of potentially deadly Portuguese man o'wars on British beaches.

The jellyfish-like creature has been spotted off the coast of west Wales, as well as in Cornwall and on the Irish coast.

Stings from the creatures' tentacles - which can reach up to 50 metres long - are very painful and can, rarely, cause death.

Marine experts say sightings of the creatures have increased in recent years.

Dr Peter Richardson of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said the most recent increase could be explained by what is known as a "stranding event".

He told the BBC: "The MCS has been running a survey since 2003 and we've had three major stranding events in that time.

"Now it looks like we are having another one this year."

Dr Richardson described the man o' war as a "very bizarre creature", explaining why they are not really jellyfish, as they are commonly called: "They are made up of a whole group of smaller animals - polyps - that have different body shapes to perform different functions, and they act together as a whole, as one animal.

"Unlike jellyfish, the Portuguese man-of-war has an air-filled sack. It looks like a Cornish pasty-shaped balloon. They are quite distinctive - you can't miss them."

The creature is usually found in warm, tropical waters like the Indian Ocean, Australia, and the Caribbean.

But winds and Atlantic currents can move them to British beaches.

Dr Richardson told the Telegraph: "Last weekend a member of the public contacted Cornwall Council about a small number of what MCS identified as Portuguese man o'war washed up at Portheras Cove.

"We then had reports of similar sightings at Summerleaze and Widemouth beaches. Our most recent reports were from Portheras yesterday.

"With the earlier strandings in Ireland, these recent sightings could herald the arrival of more of the creatures as they get blown in from the Atlantic."

In fact, just this week a boy was taken to hospital after being stung by a Portuguese man o'war while playing on a beach in Cornwall.

Dr Richardson added: "No one has been killed by Portuguese man-of-war stings in the UK so far - but they have elsewhere in the world."

At the beginning of the year, a grandfather was killed by a swarm of Portuguese man o'wars while on the beach in South Africa.

Rebecca Kirk, from Cornwall Council's public health and protection service,explained: "A sting may lead to an allergic reaction. There can also be serious effects, including fever and shock.

"Anyone who thinks they have been stung should seek medical attention immediately or contact NHS direct.

"Even though they are washed up on the beach they can still present a possible risk of stinging and parents are advised to ensure children avoid touching them."

See more deadly creatures around the world:

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