1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,200 Speaker 1: Well, we've been having some real issues with our phone 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:04,360 Speaker 1: line this morning, but I am pleased to say that 3 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: joining me on the line right now despite those phone 4 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: issues is Professor Bart Curry. 5 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 2: Good morning to you, Bart, Good morning Katie, And. 6 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 1: Of course you are the professor of medicine at Royal 7 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:18,920 Speaker 1: Darwin Hospital. And we do know that the stinger season 8 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 1: officially starts today in the Northern Territory, with the venomous 9 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:25,280 Speaker 1: box jellyfish more likely to be in the water up 10 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:28,960 Speaker 1: until the end of May next year. But why do 11 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 1: we need to be so worried about these box jellyfish? 12 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, the beginning of October is when box jellyfish 13 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:41,519 Speaker 2: start to become present. The major box jellyfish in our 14 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:45,800 Speaker 2: water's up here and basically we have death from box 15 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:48,599 Speaker 2: jellyfish every now and then, and so we have an 16 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 2: absolute warning, particularly for children, to stay out of the 17 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:53,800 Speaker 2: water from the beginning of October to the end of May. 18 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:57,240 Speaker 2: This is out of the sea water. We've had fourteen 19 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: deaths in the Northernty since nineteen seventy five. Fortunately we 20 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 2: haven't had a death in the last fourteen years, and 21 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 2: that's because of the media and the public warnings. But 22 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 2: I know that, you know, there's been a lot of people, 23 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 2: as you will, have noticed swimming during the dry season 24 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 2: more than I can remember for many years. So if 25 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 2: people have friends or family coming up that aren't aware 26 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 2: of the fact that we have a box jellyfish season, 27 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:22,320 Speaker 2: then it's really important that they tell them now is 28 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:23,479 Speaker 2: the time to stay out of the water. 29 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:26,039 Speaker 1: Yeah, you're spot on, And I think that you know 30 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:29,400 Speaker 1: that sometimes. Even yesterday, I was driving down near East 31 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:31,920 Speaker 1: Point and I thought, Gee, it looks absolutely beautiful when 32 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:34,320 Speaker 1: you look out at the water. But if you were 33 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 1: someone who'd traveled here from into state, you really may 34 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 1: may not actually anticipate the dangers in our water. I 35 00:01:41,360 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 1: think a lot of us are aware of the crocodiles, 36 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 1: of course, but then when you talk about the box jellyfish, 37 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 1: it's just a whole other element that some people aren't 38 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: aware of. 39 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I guess that's right. The thing is that 40 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 2: the day is that you look at the water and say, wow, 41 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 2: that'd be nice to go in, they are the days 42 00:01:56,880 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 2: that the jellyfish really like to come into the shallow 43 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:01,400 Speaker 2: water for their feeding. 44 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 3: And that's the calm days and the. 45 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 2: Still water, and and you know. Indeed, many of the nests, 46 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 2: and they've all been in children since nineteen seventy five, 47 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 2: have been kids literally entering the water or in very 48 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 2: shallow water where with their small body size, what happens 49 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:20,120 Speaker 2: is that if there's a fairly large box jellyfish really 50 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:22,639 Speaker 2: in the shallows there, then their arms and legs will 51 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 2: be and their torso will be encased in box jellyfish tentacles. 52 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:27,800 Speaker 2: And that's just a terrible thing to happen. 53 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 1: Oh, it's frightening to even think about. Bart Are they 54 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:34,520 Speaker 1: different things that we can do if you're unfortunate enough 55 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:38,399 Speaker 1: for something like that to happen, that could potentially save 56 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 1: a life. 57 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:42,799 Speaker 3: Yeah, And look, there have been a couple of lives 58 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 3: saved historically in Queen Van and potentially in the Northern 59 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:49,919 Speaker 3: Territory when particularly a child has cut or an adolescent 60 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 3: has come out of the water with a box jellyfish 61 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 3: sting and there's. 62 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 2: Been a bystander and the bystander has been able to 63 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 2: perform CPR or co priminary resuscitation and on the person 64 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 2: after they've had a collapse in a cardiac arress. So 65 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:08,080 Speaker 2: that's what kills people, is that the banomes there's another 66 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 2: of it gets into the circulation very quickly, and in 67 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 2: circulating then has an effect on the heart to cause 68 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 2: irregular heartbeats and then eventually a standstill. 69 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 1: Of a heart. 70 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 2: So that's a cardiac arress. So the most important thing 71 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 2: would be for someone if they came across or with 72 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 2: someone who had a severe thing and they collapse, would 73 00:03:26,720 --> 00:03:30,359 Speaker 2: be to do all the standard first aid and cut 74 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 2: out a pulmonary resuscitation, but of course have people call 75 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 2: triple zero and get the ambulance there as quickly as possible. 76 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, and bash, you know, like, is it just something 77 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: that you know if somebody has been stung by a 78 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 1: box jellyfish? Like, is there you know? How do we know? 79 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 1: I suppose, I guess that could be a stupid question. 80 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 1: But for someone like me who's never seen it happen 81 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:54,640 Speaker 1: or doesn't know exactly what it might look like, how 82 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:55,160 Speaker 1: do we know? 83 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, it's not a silly question at all, because 84 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 2: there are lots of jellyfish out there, different types of jellyfish, 85 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 2: and most jellyfish can cause a sting, and indeed you 86 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 2: can get a mark from stings from many of the jellyfish. 87 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 2: But it's the box jellyfish that are these ones that 88 00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 2: cause the deaths, and within the box jellyfish, there are 89 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:16,719 Speaker 2: even a number of different species, of which the major 90 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:19,080 Speaker 2: one that we have here in darkhen waters is the 91 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:22,599 Speaker 2: one we're most worried about. So it's usually pretty evident 92 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:27,040 Speaker 2: because the person has immediate, excruciating pain, and very quickly 93 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 2: there'll be what is initially white, sort of rope like 94 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 2: welts where the jellyfish tentacles have contacted the skin, and 95 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:39,160 Speaker 2: then they become red and it's incredibly painful, and that's 96 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 2: the main feature, is basically severe pain and also some 97 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:45,839 Speaker 2: obvious marks, so may be a little pale at first, 98 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:49,440 Speaker 2: but then they become red and incasing the limbs or 99 00:04:49,480 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 2: wherever the jellyfish tentacles have contacted the person. 100 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, wow, it is bloody frightening, especially then, you know, 101 00:04:56,839 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: even when you go past night clear. A friend of 102 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:00,679 Speaker 1: mine was telling me this morning that there's still people 103 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: sort of in the water down there at nightcliff, So 104 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,359 Speaker 1: it's really a reminder just do not get in the 105 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 1: water at this point in time. 106 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, look for the other things. We're really lucky having 107 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:13,359 Speaker 2: the surflivee saving people here because they are very aware 108 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,719 Speaker 2: of this, and they also do net the beaches coming 109 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 2: up to the stinger season because if there were early 110 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 2: things which we've had some years, say in the months 111 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:26,480 Speaker 2: of September which we've just had, then they would close 112 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 2: the beaches that where they have their patrol. 113 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 3: So they also provide advice to people. 114 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:32,280 Speaker 2: So there's a lot of. 115 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 3: Awareness out there. 116 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 2: But I guess the thing is this year, in particular, 117 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:37,239 Speaker 2: with all the people that have been in the water, 118 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 2: getting that for those long term people here, reminding them 119 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: now is the time to stay out. But also anyone 120 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 2: who's new to the territory, people you know, please tell 121 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 2: them about jellyfish and to stand on the water, particularly children. 122 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:53,720 Speaker 2: So even walking on the beach, if your kid runs 123 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 2: into the water, that is a potential risk time. So 124 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 2: parents and guardians do need to take responsibility for their 125 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 2: children when then the water or the sea water at 126 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 2: this time of year. 127 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, it is such good advice. Now, Bars, we've just 128 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 1: had someone call through Dave. Now I'm not sure if 129 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: you remember Dave, but he's just called in and he 130 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:14,280 Speaker 1: wants to give you a big on air thank you 131 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 1: because he reckons that you saved his life after he 132 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 1: was bitten by a snake ten years ago. 133 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 2: So I'm not sure that some of these stories are 134 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:28,599 Speaker 2: you know, a bit embarrassing, but look good on your Dave. 135 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 2: He'll need to remind me of the particular story in 136 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 2: which snake it. 137 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: Was, because I was going to say, I was going 138 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: to say, you've probably saved a bucket load of people, 139 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: have you, barsh. 140 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 2: No, No, it's actually I'll tell you what it is 141 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 2: with snake bite. I mean, it's all about the first 142 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 2: aid with snake bite, putting advantages on him, mobilizing, on 143 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 2: them getting to the hospital. And it's my colleagues, nurses and 144 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,159 Speaker 2: doctors in the emergency department who do the real work. 145 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 2: I sort of helped them identify the snake and give 146 00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:58,839 Speaker 2: him advice, but I'm in the background these days with 147 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,160 Speaker 2: a lot of this stuff. Very nice of day to. 148 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: Ring in any Well, what a humble man you are, Bart, 149 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: I know that I know that you are. I really 150 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:09,280 Speaker 1: appreciate you having a chat with us this morning. I 151 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,559 Speaker 1: always love catching up with you and finding out more 152 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: about you know about the work that you do, but 153 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 1: particularly when you talk about some of the crazy wildlife 154 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: and different things we've got to deal with. Up here 155 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 1: in the territory. 156 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, thanks Katie. I appreciate the opportunity to talk 157 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 2: with you. Thank you. 158 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: Good on you Bart, Thanks so much for your time 159 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,160 Speaker 1: today and I apologize that we were running a bit late. 160 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 2: No, it's all, that's all good, just a good opportunity. 161 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:35,200 Speaker 2: Thank you, Rammu, thank you.