TAKING THE STING FROM THE IRUKANDJI

Australian and international scientists are working together to seek an anti-venom for the notorious Irukandji jellyfish.

For the first time, researchers have been able to get enough Irukandji toxin to begin to unravel its secrets, said National Medical Officer for Surf Life Saving Australia and Marine Stinger Officer for Surf Lifesaving Queensland, Dr Peter Fenner.

"This is the first time the venom has been properly analysed and the results look very exciting, for the tourism industry as well as for lifesaving," said Dr Fenner. "Nothing affects tourism more than dangerous fauna."

"We knew the venom was very potent because it is a tiny jellyfish and yet it causes absolute prostration of an adult," Dr Fenner said. "The problem has always been that we had very, very little venom available. It wasn't possible to do the ongoing testing and research that is underway at the moment."

Lisa Ann Gershwin, a Fullbright scholar from Berkeley University, California, worked in Cairns for three months to catch jellyfish.

"We caught approximately seven new species this year, all of which will probably cause this syndrome. But it will be difficult to prove until we have the venom properly fingerprinted," said Dr Fenner.

Lisa is now back in the United States conducting DNA tests that will help to identify the jellyfish.

Most of the specimens went to the Australian Venom Research Unit to help develop a specific therapy for the Irukandji toxin.

We are trying to understand the mechanism of action of the toxin, said Dr Ken Winkel, the Director of the Australian Venom Research Unit.

"It acts as a neurotoxin and increases the heart rate as well as increasing the blood pressure," said Dr Winkel. "This work will help us develop an anti-venom and could lead to other drugs to treat cardio-vascular problems."

The project was funded by the Melbourne University, the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the Australian Rotary Health Foundation, the Hermon Slade Foundation and the Thyne Reid Education Trust.

Attention Editors/Chiefs of Staff: Dr Fenner can be contacted for interview on 07 4957 7800. Dr Winkel can be contacted on 03 9344 7753. For further information contact Media Liaison, Louise Goggin on 0402 243 116.