Algarve jellyfish warning

The Portuguese Met Office (IPMA) has warned against touching barrel jellyfish, which have been spotted over 120 times on Algarve beaches this week.

The increase in sightings is attributed to favourable currents and winds.

Multimédia Meteo.DivSI
Partilhamos as ocorrências de #OrganismosGelatinosos, avistados ao longo da última semana em #Portugal pelos #ObservadoresGelavista. Para informações sobre os cuidados a ter e quais as espécies mais venenosas consulte https://t.co/Dr1fYt03rE pic.twitter.com/PsQ8pmNqSO

— IPMA (@ipma_pt) July 3, 2023

The IPMA advises caution and recommends not touching the jellyfish, even if they appear to be dead on the beach. In case of contact with the skin, applying ice packs and rinsing the affected area with seawater is recommended.