June 26, 2003

Many Karachiites have experienced the sting of blue-bottles which totally ruins all the fun at the beach. Nizamuddin Siddiqui investigates

In search of peace and quiet from the incessant din of city life, you head for the beach. Once there, you enjoy the cool breeze and the rhythmic action of the waves washing up on the shore. The soothing nature of the sea relaxes your tired soul and the breeze refreshes it. And as the waves recede, yielding to the sand, you suddenly experience a sharp, stinging sensation. You have just become another one of the countless victims of a blue-bottle sting.

The phenomena occurs every summer as hundreds and thousands of these creatures get washed up on the shores of Karachi’s stretching beaches, making the lives of picnic-goers miserable. The pain of a blue-bottle sting can be unbearable and as reported in a section of the press recently, also fatal in rare cases.

The blue, jelly-like creature popularly known as a blue-bottle is quite a common sight around beaches this time of the year. As its victim groans in pain, others are huddling with advice and antidotes to ease the suffering. All kinds of household remedies are employed, but they seldom work.

Medical help in such circumstances in the form of a doctor or a paramedic is never available. Thousands of people visit the beaches in Karachi every week in the searing months of summer. But the authorities have overlooked the deputation of medical staff to deal with emergency situation. Despite tall claims by the government, the signs and instruction boards to warn beach-goers of the dangers while visiting the beach are nowhere to be seen. The only kind of help available is the few Edhi ambulances stationed far apart.

The pain from a blue-bottle sting, if left untreated for an extended period can shifts to to other areas of your body, such as the chest. This happens as the mild toxin that the sting releases into your bloodstream travels with the blood to different parts and organs.

According to a conservative estimate, around 3,000 people visiting the Clifton, Sea View, Hawkesbay, Sandspit and Gadani beaches in the last few weeks were bitten by bluebottles. Several thousands are expected to experience the ordeal in the coming weeks while these floating, boat-shaped creatures with long tentacles lay seige to the beaches. The ‘blue-bottle season’ has just begun and July is generally considered to be the peak season when they are washed up on shores in the thousands.

A majority of the people bitten by blue-bottlea in the last few weeks were allowed to go home after preliminary first aid. However, some of them needed hospitalization. They were among the unfortunate few whose immune system was weak or were prone to allergies. However, according to Rizwan Edhi, in most cases there were no complications.

Eight-year-old Sidra, who was stung by a blue-bottle while picnicking on a Sunday, was stabilized within half-an-hour. So was Umar, 12, who was stung in the abdomen. Sher Dil, a 24-year-old Pathan, said the pain shifted to his chest area.

Rizwan Edhi warned victims of rubbing the infected area of the sting. He said that people should first remove the blue-bottle tentacles — zoids — and then seek medical help.

“We have given magnifying glasses to the people manning Edhi ambulances on the beach,” he said, adding, “they help the volunteers in removal of the tentacles.”

Paramedics first remove the tentacles which carry the strings, to minimize the flow of toxin into the victim’s bloodstream. Then, the affected area is washed with antiseptic. “Even vinegar or onion can be applied to the area for relief after the tentacles have been removed,” says Rizwan.

High temperatures in June and July force blue-bottles to make their way to sandy beaches. An academic, however, did not agree with this contention, and said that monsoon activities resulted in the bluebottles being washed ashore. “During the monsoon season, the waves are high in the sea which push the blue-bottles towards the beaches.”

Dr Quddusi B. Kazmi, director of the Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, said in some extreme cases the blue-bottle sting could prove dangerous. “Normally, the stings are not very dangerous. But things could be different if the person has weakened immunity or develops allergies easily,” she said. Things could take a dangerous turn also when a person is attacked by several blue-bottles simultaneously.

Prof M. Afzal Kazmi of the Karachi University informed that the scientific name of the blue-bottle is Physalia, which belongs to the Cnidaria group. He said the creature has a blue ‘float’, filled with air which enables it to stay afloat even in rough weather.

Attached to the ‘float’ are hundreds of tentacles, known as zoids. These tentacles produces neuro-toxins which are meant to paralyze their prey, after which they are devoured. The neuro-toxins also act as decomposing agents, breaking down body tissue and making it easier for the blue-bottle to feed on its prey. The excruciating pain experienced by a person after being stung by a blue-bottle is actually the neurotoxin breaking down tissue and making it fit for ‘consumption’ by the sea creature. However, due to the minute amount of the toxin, it does not cause much damage to an average, healthy human being, and the damage to tissue is easily reversible.

Dr Quddusi said that the blue-bottle, also known as the Portuguese Man of War, is not the only marine creature that threatens beach-goers. “Certain types of fishes — for instance puffer fish, scorpion fish and stingray, can create problems.” She said some species of crabs, besides sea urchin, were also notorious in this regard.

The two academics were of the opinion that the affected area should be washed with sea water. And if onion or vinegar is available, it should also be applied. Alcohol or diluted ammonia, if available, can also be used.

Regarding precautions, the two professors said people should refrain from swimming in the part of the sea infested with blue-bottles. “Bluebottles can be seen from the beach. And if there are a lot of them around, a chain is created on the waves. If the victim starts vomiting or having fits after he is stung, he or she should be taken to the doctor immediately,” said Dr Quddusi.

The two experts said the authorities should allow professional bodies to erect notices and signboards warning people of the dangers. “If they don’t want professional bodies to set up notices and boards, then they should themselves come forward to educate people and reduce their worries,” said Dr Afzal.

The two marine experts were of the view that doctors should be deputed on the beaches so that any untoward incident could be averted. “Many government agencies can play a role in this regard. We have the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Coast Guards, two organizations that can at least try.”

Besides the Edhi volunteers providing services to beach-goers, there are also several vendors with a supply of onions for the victims.

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