(Matthew Du, NewsUSA Reporter) - How common are jellyfish stings? The Fort Lauderdale local government has a daily beach report for beach conditions and hazards. It includes a live feed of Elbo Room Beach and New River Downtown. Embedded on the site is a live stream of the currents. Purple flags indicate sea pests. These include jellyfish, including man-o-war types that impart a painful sting. 

Jellyfish on the beach water often appear in spring and fall. They tend to follow plankton blooms for food and warm waters. As such, jellyfish do not target humans. Instead, most people accidentally make contact with the jellyfish, resulting in a sting.