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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><img width="83" height="119" style="width:.8645in;height:1.2395in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.png@01D42290.A067A8D0" alt="DEM-logo-small"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:&quot;Impact&quot;,sans-serif;color:#00457A">Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#00457A">235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 |</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0070C0">
</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#00457A">| @RhodeIslandDEM</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CONTACT:
</span></b><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Gail Mastrati, DEM &#8211; 401.222.4700</span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Monday, July 23, 2018&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</span><a href="mailto:gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">gail.mastrati@dem.ri.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">CLINGING JELLYFISH FOUND IN POINT JUDITH POND
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">DEM, Rhode Island Department of Health advise that the small jellyfish with a painful sting is known to inhabit back bays
 and coastal ponds but not ocean beaches or other sandy areas.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">PROVIDENCE &#8211;
<b>The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are advising the public that clinging jellyfish, a species that can have a powerful sting for those who are sensitive to it, have been found in
 Point Judith Pond in Narragansett.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__doi.org_10.7717_peerj.3966_fig-2D1&d=DwMFAw&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=PNPCCLvWGdSuU1Tdn5Dnfma8bA9iLrs91avOnZ4uMV0&m=1Dw7qNUBDhVaInmjgdhArjHP8g6X8aOe0hvNJZGqPQ8&s=75nNYCJM2qJyWET3PEfV_b0GxonINiJ5XJHZGVbtPGM&e="><img border="0" width="382" height="76" style="width:3.9791in;height:.7916in" src="cid:image003.png@01D42325.1F88D410" align="left" hspace="12" alt="The clinging jellyfish, pictured at about twice its actual size. The blue arrow points to the end of the tentacles, which grow to be about two to three inches long, uncoiling sharp threads and emitting painful neurotoxins. / Credit: 10.7717/peerj.3966/fig-1" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"> [doi.org]</a><![endif]><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:706.5pt;margin-top:14.65pt;width:286.7pt;height:3in;z-index:251660288;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="382" height="288" style="width:3.9791in;height:3.0in" src="cid:image005.jpg@01D42325.1F88D410" align="right" hspace="12" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Over the past 10 days, three people contacted RIDOH who reported experiencing stinging sensations and painful welts after shellfishing and recreating in Point Judith Pond. RIDOH reached
 out to DEM for assistance, and DEM marine biologists surveying Point Judith Pond confirmed the presence of the clinging jellyfish (currently identified as
<i>Gonionemus vertens</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Adult clinging jellyfish are about the size of a dime and marked with an orange-brown cross on their transparent bodies.</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">
 These small jellies have sticky pads on their tentacles that allow them to cling to seagrasses and seaweeds.
</span><strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif;color:black;background:white">The clinging jellyfish is not known to inhabit ocean beaches or other sandy areas but tends to attach itself to submerged aquatic vegetation and algae in back bays,
 coastal ponds, and estuaries, areas not heavily used for swimming. </span></strong><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Their sting is known to be extremely painful and can result in
<span style="color:black">in hospitalization in some individuals.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="color:black">The clinging jellyfish is very difficult to spot in the water. DEM encourages the public to use common sense and caution in areas where the jellyfish are suspected. Anyone wading through these areas, especially near aquatic vegetation,
 should take precautions, such as wearing boots or waders to protect themselves.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Originally thought to be native to the Pacific Ocean, clinging jellyfish are prevalent in the northeast, particularly from Connecticut to Maine and in the waters surrounding
 Cape Cod. They also have been found on Long Island and in northern New Jersey. </span>
<span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">DEM and RIDOH have received reports from the public that clinging jellyfish may be present in Potters Pond in South Kingstown and the Narrow River in Narragansett. DEM marine biologists surveyed Potters Pond
 in early July and did not observe the jellies at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">People can react differently to a sting from a clinging jellyfish. Symptoms range from no discomfort to severe pain, redness at the sting site, and respiratory and/or neurological
 problems. Symptoms typically last about three to five days. RIDOH advises that if you are stung by a clinging jellyfish:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Put white vinegar on the sting site to stop any remaining stinging cells.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Remove any remaining tentacles with fine tweezers. Be sure to wear gloves to prevent additional stings to your hands.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Soak the skin in hot water (110° - 113°F) or take a hot shower for 20-45 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">If symptoms do not go away or pain gets worse, seek medical attention.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">For more information on clinging jellyfish, please refer to the attached factsheet published by the
</span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.whoi.edu_&d=DwMFAw&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=PNPCCLvWGdSuU1Tdn5Dnfma8bA9iLrs91avOnZ4uMV0&m=1Dw7qNUBDhVaInmjgdhArjHP8g6X8aOe0hvNJZGqPQ8&s=jGmkvQxmHYHuttFWu7G9AmaTvHYk27uy19TOVkC3h1Y&e="><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</span> [whoi.edu]</a><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">. Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at
</span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.facebook.com_RhodeIslandDEM&d=DwMFAw&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=PNPCCLvWGdSuU1Tdn5Dnfma8bA9iLrs91avOnZ4uMV0&m=1Dw7qNUBDhVaInmjgdhArjHP8g6X8aOe0hvNJZGqPQ8&s=Ifk4racnu3Dguyxt7CGrJ47Lye6ODNVDT4FMdSI9eF4&e="><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif">www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM</span> [facebook.com]</a><span style="font-family:&quot;Calibri Light&quot;,sans-serif"> for timely updates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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