(MENAFN) Over 19 people in Australia's Queensland state have sustained suspected stings by one of the world's most poisonous jellyfish and rushed to hospital in the beachgoing season, nearly double the decade's average, with marine safety groups and researchers alerting that warmer weather might trigger further attacks.

The Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Services ocean organization confirmed that eight of the victims were taken by a helicopter to the hospital from the Fraser Island tourist spot off the state's southeast in the past two weeks alone after being attacked by the Irukandji.

The group's director Lisa Gershwin stated: "Certainly it has been really hot, and I think that may have something to do with it."

"For people who have had Irukandji syndrome, it's pretty bad. Most people make a full and complete recovery, a fraction require life support, some end up with permanent heart damage or permanent neurological damage," according to Gershwin.

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