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Clinging Jellyfish Multiplying Off Of Jersey Coast

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Clinging jellyfish are multiplying off of the Jersey Shore.

The jellyfish carry a very painful and sometimes dangerous sting.

In extreme cases, it can lead to kidney failure.

The species are native to the Pacific Ocean, but they may have arrived here from a ship.

A marine biologist captured some of the jellyfish, hoping to figure out how fast their population is expanding.

Dr. Paul Bologna says, "As soon as the summer season begins, if you're in one of these areas that might have high abundances, you're going to increase the potential of encountering them, and potentially getting a pretty big sting."

The doctor says the pain does not subside, but escalates upwards. That's one of the major signals that it might be time to seek medical treatment.

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