title: An outbreak of Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis - Linnaeus, 1758) envenoming in Southeastern Brazil.
abstract: Portuguese man-of-war, Physalia physalis (Linnaeus, 1758), are cnidarians capable of discharging intracellular organelles filled with venom, resulting in severe envenomation in humans.
  
  
  
  We report the clinical and therapeutic aspects of 331 accidents involving Portuguese man-of-war in an outbreak on the coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
  
  
  
  The clinical manifestations of envenomation were rare and mild and mostly local, systemic reactions; there was a low rate of late complications.
  
  
  
  The consequences of envenomation were of moderate severity, and first aid measures were effective in controlling the pain. Outbreaks of accidents involving Portuguese man-of-war occur periodically in the area without a clear explanation.
authors.forename: Vidal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Virga
authors.forename: Adriano
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bechara
authors.forename: Fábio Lang da
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: André Carrara
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Morandini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D037402:Hydrozoa; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003064:Cnidarian Venoms