4-year-old recovering from box jellyfish sting in Palawan

A four-year-old child is now recovering after being stung by a box jellyfish in Aborlan, Palawan.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, Ryan and Yvonne Lucero’s son Lucas was rushed to the hospital after he accidentally came into contact with the jellyfish’s tentacles while swimming on the morning of May 10 in a beach in their hometown.

“Bigla na lang sumigaw 'yung anak ko ng ‘aray, masakit.’ Noong pagkuha ko sa kanya, nakita ko sa legs niya nakapulupot 'yung mga tentacles. Hindi niya ma-tolerate 'yung pain. Hiyaw siya nang hiyaw,” Ryan recalled.

Moments later, Lucas reportedly lost consciousness.

“Bigla na lang siyang nag-collapse. Sobrang nangitim na siya. Wala na ring pulse,” he added.

Ryan, who has a background in basic life support, immediately performed CPR after noticing his son was no longer breathing properly.

“Kung itatakbo ko ito na hindi ko na-rerevive, talagang mawawalan ako ng anak. Dahil may background ako ng basic life support, nag-perform ako agad ng CPR. After ilang minutes, umiyak na siya ulit,” he said.

As Lucas regained consciousness, he was immediately brought to the hospital for treatment.

At the hospital, the child was soaked in a basin filled with water and vinegar to help neutralize the jellyfish toxins.

“Para daw ma-neutralize 'yung toxins dulot ng jellyfish. Habang nakababad siya doon, nakikita ko 'yung ibang tentacles kusang natatanggal na siya. Parang dead skin na kusang bumibitaw sa balat,” Ryan said.

Dr. Rafael Gabo-Chan Martires, a general physician, said warm water mixed with vinegar helps reduce the activity of nematocysts—the stinging cells found in jellyfish tentacles that release toxins.

“Which is why makakatulong 'yung mainit na tubig sa vinegar, matagal na itong known na effective na nagpapabawas ng activity ng nematocyst. Doon kasi sa tentacles ng jellyfish, 'yun 'yung naglalabas ng lason,” he said.

Due to Ryan’s quick response, Lucas was saved from danger, though he could not walk during the first two days due to severe swelling.

“Yung first two days niya, talagang hindi siya makalakad kasi namamaga. Ngayon pang three days niya, kahit papaano nakakahakbang na siya,” Ryan shared.

The family later learned that authorities had already issued warnings about the presence of box jellyfish in the area.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Mimaropa recently reminded beachgoers to stay vigilant against box jellyfish, considered among the most venomous marine animals in the world.

“May finoward sa akin announcement ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ng Mimaropa region na pinag-iingat ang lahat dahil sa box jellyfish,” Ryan said.

Box jellyfish are transparent and difficult to spot in the water, explained Kuya Kim. Their long tentacles contain millions of stinging cells that can cause severe pain, skin injuries, numbness, difficulty in breathing, and even death in serious cases.

BFAR has reminded the public to avoid swimming in areas with jellyfish warnings, wear protective clothing when swimming in the sea, never touch jellyfish washed ashore or floating in the water, and seek medical attention immediately if stung.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News