WILLEMSTAD - The Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature warns about the Portuguese man o’war that has been spotted on several beaches in recent days.
Several visitors have spotted the jellyfish-like animals on beaches in the Bandariba area (easter side of the island). The Portuguese man o’war resembles a floating plastic bag in the water and can grow up to 25 centimeters in size.
The tentacles can reach up to 50 meters. These are the poison-filled arms that fish are caught with. A sting from the animal is poisonous to humans, but rarely fatal.
If you are stung by a Portuguese man o’war, it is best to remove the tentacles as soon as possible with a stick, do not touch them yourself. By sitting in a bath of 45 degrees Celsius you deactivate the remaining cells. In addition, take three to five grams of vitamin C to neutralize the poison.
