Wicklow swimmers stung by weever fish as warning issued
In Greystones, a woman posted on social media that her daughter got stung by a weever fish on the previous Thursday afternoon on Greystones' north beach. Another swimmer posted on Saturday that they too were stung and his regret could be for your benefit as they wished they had packed swim shoes for the beach that day.
"I am in so much pain. So many people talking about this and I still didn't wear my water shoes. I won't go to the sea again without my water shoes. It ruined my day,' they said.
Bray Sea Swimmers posted an alert the week before the heatwave, warning people of the presence of weever fish in the waters at Bray. The group also shared some useful advice from the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC), which is worth taking on board if you are planning to visit the beach anytime soon.
The weever fish is found in all parts of the Irish coast in sandy areas, usually in warm shallow waters in the hour before and after low tide. Unlike most fish, they have no swim bladder, meaning that they sink to the bottom as soon as they stop swimming. They are, therefore, difficult to see because they spend most of their time buried under the sand. The have sharp spines containing venom on their dorsal fin.
Standing on a Weeverfish results in immediate intense, burning pain. The pain is most intense in the first two hours and can result in swelling, numbness and warmth.
If you have been stung by a weever fish, you should do the following:
Seek assistance from a lifeguard, if available.
Submerge the affected limb or wound in hot water, as hot as can be tolerated for up to 90 minutes or until pain is easing.
As the sting can result in numbness, immerse the unaffected limb too, as this may prevent inadvertent scalding.
Note that cold applications may worsen the discomfort.
Paracetamol can be considered to relieve pain. Care should be taken when pain relief is given that thermal burns do not occur due to the effects of the pain killer masking the temperature of the water used.
The puncture site should be examined and the embedded spines removed.
Seek medical attention from a doctor as a tetanus and/or antibiotics may be required.
You can call the NPIC on 01 8092166 if you stand on a weever fish for further advice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Diddly Squat farm in heartbreaking TB outbreak
Jeremy Clarkson is facing heartbreak on his Diddly Squat Farm with a positive result for TB in his beloved herd of cattle. The former Top Gear host has been posting on social media about the latest bout of bad luck to hit Diddly Squat this year. Posting on X, (Twitter) the Clarkson said 'Bad news from Diddly Squat. We've gone down with TB. Everyone here is absolutely devastated. Pic: Gareth Fuller/PA Archive Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of cattle and is caused by the bacterium 'Mycobacterium Bovis', which can also infect and cause disease in many other animals including goats, pigs, deer, badgers and even domestic cats and dogs. But in cattle its mainly a respiratory disease and can shut down an entire farm if an animal even tests borderline for the disease. This means no movement of livestock in or out of a farm until the herd is declared disease free. Clarkson has been very upfront about all of the hardships involved in keeping Diddly Squat Farm afloat, with bad weather and torrential rain drowning all of the freshly planted crops earlier this year, to the issues with dried up fields during the heatwave in June and July. He wrote in the Times newspaper how hot and unpredictable weather had been wreaking havoc on his crops. He said: 'It used to be reasonably predictable, but it just isn't anymore. In March Diddly Squat had no rain at all. Not even a drop. In April we got 20mm, which in old money is bugger all.' And so far in May we've had 4mm. You couldn't keep a window box going with a dribble like that. It's been drier than it was in 1976. And while we do have about thirty springs on the farm, they're all in the wrong place. So my onions and my beetroots are just sitting in the dust. 'The wheat, meanwhile, is curling up, the barley won't really get cracking at all and I dread to think what manner of terribleness is being foisted on my poor potatoes.' But the cattle testing positive for TB is another very serious issue for the farm, and Clarkson has been keeping fans of the TV programme up to date with news of the animal infected, saying she is pregnant with twin calves and will sadly have to be culled. Lisa Hogan and Jeremy Clarkson. Pic: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock Clarkson who runs Diddly Squat farm along with her partner – Irish born Lisa Hogan says he is absolutely devastated with the news that one of his cows, who is carrying twin calves has tested positive for the disease. The presenter clarified that Diddly Squat has 'bovine TB', which doesn't affect people but rather the cattle that live on the farm. In response to one fan sharing well wishes and hopes for the cows' recoveries, Clarkson replied: 'They have to be culled. It's the law.' He also shared that he hoped his Aberdeen Angus bull who is named 'Endgame' would be OK with the ongoing infection, noting that his test was 'inconclusive'.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘Harvey was our rock star' – Parents of boy (9) who waited years for scoliosis surgery vow to continue campaigning after his death
'We are devastated, Harvey was our rock star, and we will continue to campaign for other children in similar situations as Harvey,' his father, Stephen Morrison, said. 'We have to continue to campaign for other kids, because if we didn't we would be doing Harvey a disservice.' 'After a while we will go strong again in our campaign. There are so many other children like Harvey and families like ours who need help and support,' Mr Morrison said. 'Harvey was our Little Rock star, he would burst into a room, he wanted to let everyone know he was in the room. 'Anyone who met him said he had these big wide beautiful eyes that would draw you into him, a lot of people said to us that they felt like Harvey was here before, that he was an old soul.' 'Harvey was battling for so long, we are absolutely devastated,' Stephen said. Little Harvey's remains will repose at Massey Bros Funeral Home, Clondalkin, Dublin, from 3pm-5pm, Friday, August 1. Harvey will be remembered at a public cremation service, at Newland's Crematorium Chapel, Newlands Cross, Dublin, (D22 EOCO), at 1pm, Saturday. Harvey, from Clondalkin, was waiting three years for scoliosis surgery as the curvature on his spine continued to extend to a life-threatening 130 degrees. The spinal curve grew so serious that it was crushing Harvey's ribcage and lungs and putting severe pressure on his heart. ADVERTISEMENT His severe condition was highlighted in February 2024 when his parents, Gillian Sherratt and Mr Morrison, shared a heartbreaking video of their vulnerable son struggling to breathe due to the curve on his spine. The boy's story of perseverance in the face of his worsening condition and delays in his surgery, as well as growing spinal waiting lists for children's surgery nationally, were all later highlighted in the Dáil. Despite long demanding action over their son's surgery, Ms Sherratt discovered during a routine enquiry last August that, in fact, Harvey had been removed from Children's Health Ireland's active scoliosis surgical waiting list without their knowledge. While not directly involved in their son's care, orthopaedic surgeon David Moore, emailed Ms Sherratt in response and told her: "I apologise for any misunderstanding that appears to have occurred in respect of Harvey's case." Mr Moore also explained in the email that Harvey was not a candidate for surgery abroad, but that he was "happy to facilitate' Harvey being reviewed by two Irish-based surgeons. Harvey eventually had his surgery last December, however as his curve had grown to such a significant size, it was impossible to completely correct it. Professor Damian McCormack, lead consultant surgeon in paediatric orthopaedic surgery at Temple Street Children's Hospital, performed the surgery reducing some of the pressure on the boy's lungs and heart. Ms Sherratt said at the time that she and Mr Morrison had 'huge respect' for Prof McCormack, and that they were 'so thankful to Professor Damian McCormack for being the only person that was actually willing to operate on Harvey'. In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Sherratt said: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that myself and Stephen (Morrison) have to announce that our little rockstar Harvey passed away this morning with us by his side, arrangements to follow and it will be open to any and all of you who have supported him throughout his short life.' In a poignant joint tribute to their son, in his obituary notice, they wrote: 'Words cannot convey the heartbreak we feel in announcing that on 29th July after a very short illness, our little rockstar Harvey passed away in the arms of mum and dad.' 'He will be dearly missed by anyone who was lucky enough to know him…In his short life Harvey faced more challenges than most, and was the bravest, strongest and most courageous boy.' 'To know him was to love him, and he definitely left his mark on this world. 'If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever'.' Harvey's parents invited friends and the wider public 'to join us to celebrate Harvey's life, and dress in colour' at his cremation service, and they asked that mourners make a donation, if desired, to Child Vision In Memory of Harvey, in lieu of flowers. Harvey Morrison Sherratt is survived by his parents Gillian and Stephen, his sister Lyla and brother Remy, grandparents Ann, Gordon, Christina and Thomas, and his aunts, uncles and cousins.
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Case of bird flu detected in small backyard flock in Donegal
A bird from a very small backyard flock in Co Donegal has tested positive for the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, following a post-mortem examination carried out in the Department's Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Sligo. Following this result, the other birds in the flock have now been euthanised. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said there are no trade implications for the Irish poultry industry in relation to this detection, due to the very small size of the flock. Moving to reassure poultry farmers and the Irish poultry industry, Minister Heydon confirmed the incident is not considered as an outbreak of avian influenza. 'As this flock was very small and was not involved in commercial poultry activity, under the legislation this incident is not an outbreak of avian influenza. "Therefore, this does not affect Ireland's disease-free status in respect of avian influenza and there are no trade implications or restriction zones,' said Minister Heydon. Emphasising the importance of biosecurity to protect poultry, the Minister said, 'Biosecurity is the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks. "This incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by avian influenza and is a reminder to all who keep poultry, whether commercial holdings or those who have some backyard hens, to stay aware and take precautions to prevent contact with or contamination from wild birds. "Report any suspicions of avian influenza to your local Regional Veterinary Office without delay,' said Minister Heydon. In recent weeks, there have been a number of cases of avian influenza detected in wild birds in Ireland, mainly sea birds in coastal areas. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more In 2025, a total of 41 cases of avian influenza in wild birds have been detected. The Minister reiterated the importance of taking precautions to protect public health. 'I have a clear message for the public, especially for those who may encounter dead birds on beaches this summer: Do not touch or pick up dead wild birds, and keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds,' said Minister Heydon. The HSE-HPSC has advised that the risk to public health from the strain of avian influenza currently circulating (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1) is considered low for the general public, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people. The public is advised if travelling from an area known or suspected to be affected with avian influenza or where wild birds have been found dead, do not make contact with poultry or captive birds without prior cleaning and disinfection of clothing and footwear and do not bring sick wild birds' home, particularly if you own or work with poultry or other captive birds. Where handling sick or dead wild birds is unavoidable, the public must wear gloves. Dispose of gloves appropriately. If you do not have immediate access to a bin they should be placed inside a plastic bag and brought with you. Wash hands and arms with hot soapy water afterwards.
