El Ayuntamiento de Guardamar del Segura ha prohibido el baño en todas las playas

The Guardamar del Segura Town Council has banned bathing 🚩 on all beaches in the municipality following the appearance of two specimens of Glaucus atlanticus. This species, commonly known as blue dragon, is characterised by its intense and striking blue colour and its small size; however, its bite can cause significant effects.

The consequences include nausea, pain and vomiting, so it is recommended not to touch them, to notify rescuers or authorities and, in case of a sting, to rinse the area with salt water and go to the aid station or health centre..

Although the two specimens were found on Vivers beach, the red flag has been raised on all the beaches in the municipality, completely prohibiting bathing. For the moment, no other specimens have been seen on any other beach in the region.

Until further notice, the beaches of the municipality will be under a red flag🚩. The municipal services remain attentive to the situation and will keep you informed about the measures to be taken.

The blue dragon (Glaucus atlanticus) is a species of nudibranch gastropod of the family Glaucidae.

The blue dragon is 3 to 4 cm long. Dorsally it has a silvery blue colouration, and ventrally a pale blue. It has dark blue or black stripes along the foot. It has a flattened truncated cone-shaped body with six appendages branching into cerata rays. The teeth of its radula resemble swords.

Glaucus atlanticus is capable of swallowing the poisonous nematocysts of siphonophores such as Portuguese Carabella, and storing them in the limbs of its cerata. Touching it can result in a painful sting, with symptoms similar to those caused by Portuguese man-of-war. Symptoms that may appear after a sting are nausea, pain, vomiting, acute allergy, contact dermatitis, erythema, urticarial papules, potential vesicle formation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.