Purple Jellyfish Surge Threatens Greek Beaches

The news in Greek

1. μέδουσα  (f.)
   θαλάσσιο ζώο με μαλακό σώμα και πλοκάμια που μπορεί να προκαλέσει τσίμπημα ↩︎
2. επικίνδυνος
   που μπορεί να προκαλέσει κίνδυνο ή βλάβη ↩︎
3. τσίμπημα  (n.)
   πράξη ή αποτέλεσμα του δαγκώματος ή της διείσδυσης του δέρματος από αγκάθι ή εντομοκτόνο ↩︎
4. προκαλώ
   είμαι η αιτία για να συμβεί κάτι ↩︎
5. περιοχή  (f.)
   συγκεκριμένο μέρος ή ζώνη μιας χώρας ή πόλης ↩︎
6. αναφέρω
   δηλώνω ή γνωστοποιώ κάτι σε κάποιον ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What color are the jellyfish mentioned in the summary?

Question 2: What should swimmers do if they see jellyfish?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
μέδουσα  (f.)	jellyfish
επικίνδυνος	dangerous
τσίμπημα  (n.)	sting
προκαλώ	cause
περιοχή  (f.)	area
αναφέρω	report

Read the full story

A surge in the presence of purple jellyfish, known scientifically as Pelagia noctiluca, has been reported across numerous beaches in Greece, causing concern among locals and holidaymakers. According to the Hellenic Biodiversity Observatory, this marine animal has been seen in considerable numbers, particularly affecting the northern region of Evia, the North Sporades, and popular islands such as Skiathos and Skopelos.

Reports indicate that the spread of these jellyfish is occurring more rapidly than initially anticipated. The Observatory notes that initial estimates underestimated the growth of the population due to insufficient public reporting, leading to an inaccurate picture of the actual situation. As the problem escalates, swimmers and beachgoers in the affected areas are advised to exercise heightened caution.

Currently, there are validated reports of jellyfish surfacing from Chalkida to the North Euboean Gulf, with the severity of the influx increasing the further north one goes. The northeast coast of the Pagasetic Gulf continues to detect the species, underscoring a serious issue, especially as North Evia serves as a conduit for jellyfish moving out to open waters.

Similar incidents of jellyfish blooms have been observed around the Mediterranean from 2020 to 2023, with regions like Gibraltar experiencing significant impacts. Such occurrences have also been noted in Spain, France, Italy, and the Adriatic Sea during the same period.

The purple jellyfish is renowned for its striking violet or pinkish hue and is infamous for its painful sting, which can cause adverse reactions such as skin irritation, redness, swelling, and in sensitive individuals, nausea or dizziness. While rarely life-threatening, the sting can pose serious risks to those with allergies or multiple stings.

Beachgoers are encouraged to report sightings on platforms like iNaturalist to facilitate expert verification and contribute to data accessible to both the scientific community and the public. It’s important for those who encounter the jellyfish and experience stings to exit the water promptly, avoid rubbing the affected area, rinse with seawater, and seek medical help if severe allergic reactions occur.

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