The dime-sized, dangerous clinging jellyfish has surfaced in the waters of the Shrewsbury River, reportedly stinging a Middletown man who was hospitalized and leaving area emergency officials and residents on alert.

In addition to the sting of the Middletown man, on Wednesday, Monmouth Beach Emergency Management officials said in a Facebook post that there were unconfirmed reports made by residents of three clinging jellyfish found in the Shrewsbury.

The jellyfish can cause a lot of damage to a person, the worst being kidney failure, according to a marine biologist.

So, Monmouth Beach police and Emergency Management personnel issued separate statements alerting area residents who may be swimming or otherwise recreating in the Shrewsbury River. The conditions of rivers like the Shrewsbury or Navesink are prime for the jellyfish, according to a report on nj1015.com, they like to cling to algae and seagrass on the floor of the rivers during the day and tend to migrate up to the surface in the evening.

In addition to saying that the jellyfish are not indigenous to New Jersey and would not be found in the ocean, as currents would obliterate them, the police statement, in part, said:

“… If observed, these animals should not be handled with bare hands and any skin contact should be avoided. There have been no prohibitions or warnings issued regarding swimming in the river by any agency.

The MBPD possess no further information regarding these animals at this time. The NJ DEP is requesting that any interactions with the animals be reported to that agency via their hotline 1-877-WARNDEP.”