Box jellyfish
Jellyfish are an active part of the NT ocean environment.
Chironex fleckeri is a sea animal, also known as the major box jellyfish. It has the most rapidly acting venom known to science and is capable of killing a person in under 5 minutes.
Current situation
It is now stinger season in the Northern Territory (NT).
Venomous box jellyfish are more likely to be in the water from October up until the end of May.
Territorians and visitors must be highly vigilant around coastal waters as the box jellyfish can be almost invisible in water. The best advice is to stay out of the sea.
For patrolled beaches in the Northern Territory, go to the surf life saving Australia's beach safe website.
Read the latest media release by NT Health.
Notifiable disease
Box jellyfish stings are not a notifiable disease.
Information for health professionals
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Document | Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) PDF (156.4 KB) | NT Health |
| Document | Irukandji syndrome fact sheet PDF (161.8 KB) | NT Health |
| Tropical Health Orientation Manual for health practitioners in Northern Australia | Box jellyfish | Centre for Remote Health |
Information for the public
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Webpage | Box jellyfish | Northern Territory Government |
| Webpage | Jellyfish stings | Health direct |
| Webpage | Beach safe locations | Surf life saving Australia |
Contact
Contact the Public Health Unit’s Centre for Disease Control.
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