KOTA KINABALU: A team of experts is working on identifying venoms from 17 recorded jellyfish species found in Sabah waters.
Lahad Datu Hospital has partnered with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the Malaysian Society on Toxinology, Remote Envenoming Consultation Services, and the IOI-Westpac Harmful Jellyfish Initiative to conduct in-depth research to better understand the venomous species in the area.
They hope to expand their knowledge of the animals and come up with suitable antidotes to treat deadly stings.
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According to Lahad Datu Hospital senior registrar (Emergency and Trauma Dept) Dr Muhamad Naim Ab Razak, of the 17 recorded jellyfish species, eight are hazardous to humans, including the Chironex yamaguchii box jellyfish.
He said that in 2019, UMS researchers confirmed the identity of this species through morphological and DNA analysis, finding a 99.82% match with specimens from Japan.
"Known locally as balung, these jellyfish are especially prevalent during krill season.
"Although the jellyfish body is non-toxic and can even be consumed, its tentacles contain millions of stinging cells or cnidocytes that inject venom into humans through needle-like structures called nematocysts," he said.
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“While we focus on the venom of Chironex yamaguchii, we are also investigating the presence of other dangerous species, including a yet-to-be-confirmed Morbakka-type box jellyfish found in Sabah,” said Dr Naim, who has been researching jellyfish since 2016.
He said they also hoped to work with Prof Iekhsan Othman from Monash University in further identifying deadly jellyfish found in Sabah waters.
Dr Naim, a fellow in extreme and wilderness medicine, said jellyfish sting incidents in Malaysia remain poorly documented, with only 15 recorded deaths from 1990 to 2022, six of them in Sabah.
These figures may not reflect the true extent of jellyfish stings, he added, as such fatal incidents – particularly involving children from island and coastal communities – might not have been reported.
“Many incidents go unreported due to the undocumented status of victims or adherence to local burial practices,” he said.
Furthermore, it is not mandatory to report jellyfish stings to the Health Ministry, he noted.
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Dr Naim said he started his research after treating children critically injured by jellyfish stings.
Records trace jellyfish-related deaths in Malaysian waters as far back as 1992 in Labuan, while data on jellyfish biodiversity remains limited, he said.
Some jellyfish contain a primary toxin that can affect the human body, particularly the heart, lungs and nervous system.
"Severe stings can lead to potentially fatal complications, particularly in children who are more susceptible to the effects," he said.
In cases of jellyfish stings, Dr Naim advised people to stay calm, apply vinegar to the stung area for 30 seconds, carefully remove any tentacles using cloth or tweezers, and seek medical help immediately.
"If the person shows no signs of life, contact emergency services and perform CPR," he said, adding that vinegar is not a definitive treatment but merely inhibits nematocysts from releasing more venom.
He said in hospitals, treatment typically includes pain relief, antibiotics, wound care, and cardiopulmonary support if needed.
"For severe cases, antivenom is available at select coastal hospitals in Sabah, including Lahad Datu Hospital, Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan and Likas Women and Children’s Hospital," he said.
The antivenom available in Malaysia, however, was specifically developed for stings from Australia’s Chironex fleckerii box jellyfish and costs RM2,700 per vial.
"Critical patients may require up to six vials, alongside intensive care, making this treatment costly," he said.
Preliminary studies demonstrated its potential effectiveness for stings by Malaysian jellyfish though further research is necessary, he added.
