GALVESTON — A 13-year-old boy who was bit on the foot and hand by a shark while in shallow water in Galveston is listed in stable condition.

The boy, who is from Odessa, was swimming in about waist deep water with his brother when they noticed a school of fish near them and decided to return to the shore. Shortly after, the victim was bit on the foot then the hand, according to a press release from Galveston Island Beach Patrol. The attack occurred about 10:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5 at 37^th Street.

“He was first bit on the foot then went to push the shark away with his hand and was bit on the hand,” Lt. Kara Harrison with Galveston Island Beach Patrol said via phone. He’s listed in stable condition and doctors are making sure there are no infections. He is expected to be ok but will have to undergo reconstructive surgery.

The boy was treated by the Beach Patrol and emergency medical services then transferred to the John Sealy Emergency Room for treatment.

“The incident appears to be a case of mistaken identity where the shark was attempting to feed on schooling fish,” Harrison said. “There have been approximately 10 reported shark bites in the past 20 years according to Galveston Island Beach Patrol records.”

Safety recommendations to avoid contact with sharks include:

• Avoid schooling fish
• Shuffle your feet
• Do not enter water when bleeding
• Avoid swimming where bays and rivers empty into the Gulf of Mexico

E-mail: mary.meaux@panews.com

Twitter: MaryMeauxPANews