Box jellyfish sting people in Florida waters

DELAND — Box jellyfish floating in waters off Florida’s Atlantic coast have been stinging people.

By Tuesday, dozens of people had been stung in waters off New Smyrna Beach, Ponce Inlet and Daytona Beach.

Officials say the sting feels like being shocked. The species spotted in Volusia County leave a painful burn mark.

Purple warning flags have been posted to alert the public.

Box jellyfish are transparent marine invertebrates that propel themselves along the water using a flap that quickly expels water underneath the box-shaped bell.