Beachgoers, beware: Portuguese men-of-war spotted along South Carolina shore

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CHARLESTON, S.C. — Watch your step, beachgoers.

Wildlife officials announced Friday that "a small number" of Portuguese men-of-war, which are known for their strong, painful sting, have washed up on the South Carolina shore.

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The sting is rarely fatal, according to The Associated Press.

"You should steer clear of these highly venomous relatives of jellyfish both in the water and ashore, as even a dead man-of-war has a sting strong enough to sometimes require medical attention," the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said Friday in a Facebook post.

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The brightly colored hydrozoans "are occasionally pushed ashore by strong winds," the department added. Sightings have been reported in Hilton Head and Sullivan's Island, the AP reported.

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– The Associated Press contributed to this report.