WHAT must you do when you are stung by a jellyfish?
Forget the ‘pee cure’ or even pouring spirit on the wound as that would make the situation worst.
Penang Tourism Development, Heritage, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state would be working with the Health Ministry to raise awareness of jellyfish dangers and steps to treating jellyfish stings.
“The following steps should be followed; quickly get out of the water, carefully remove the tentacles, do not touch the wound and rinse the area with sea water.
“Protect your hands while removing the tentacles,” Yeoh replying to an oral question by Heng Lee Lee (PH-Berapit) during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Yeoh said the state was serious in addressing the matter.
“It could negatively impact water sports activities and Penang’s tourism.
“The Penang government has allocated RM10,000 to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) in Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2017 to study the distribution of dangerous jellyfish in the sea especially in Teluk Bahang, Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Tokong, Pantai Bersih and Pantai Robina.
“The two-year study is currently being conducted and will be completed end of this year,” Yeoh said.
He proposed having awareness programmes, working together with the Housing and Local Government Ministry to look into ways to reduce the breeding of jellyfish, and working with the local authorities to set up more signboards at beaches to warn the public of jellyfish dangers.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting