COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- More than 400 people have suffered jellyfish stings over the holiday weekend on a central Florida beach.
Brevard County Ocean Rescue Assistant Chief Eisen Witcher says legions of jellyfish called mauve stingers washed ashore from the Atlantic, primarily around Cocoa Beach.
Witcher says more than 200 people suffered sings to their legs, arms and torsos on Saturday. More than 200 more people suffered similar stings Sunday. No major health problems were reported.
The reddish-colored jellyfish have purple barbs that sting. Lifeguards offered victims sprays of vinegar to neutralize the stinging cells. Witcher recommended that swimmers apply Benadryl to itching or painful welts.
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