Irukandji jellyfish are tiny and extremely venomous jellyfish which cause symptoms collectively known as Irukandji syndrome. These jellyfish are very small, with a bell about one centimeter wide and four tentacles, which range in length from just a few centimeters to up to 35 cm in length. Irukandji syndrome is produced by a very small amount of venom and includes severe pains at various parts of the body; typically excruciating muscle cramps in the arms and legs, severe pain in the back and kidneys, a burning sensation of the skin and face; headaches, nausea, restlessness, sweating, vomiting, high heart rate and blood pressure, and psychological phenomena (such as the feeling of impending death). The symptoms may last from hours to several days. Irukandji are usually found near the coast, attracted by the warmer water, but blooms have been seen as far as five kilometres offshore. When properly treated, a single sting is normally not fatal, but two people in Australia are believed to have died from Irukandji stings in 2002. Each year, varying numbers of people are stung - from only a few to more than 200 people.
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