The grass pollen season is now officially under way, increasing the risk of hay fever, asthma and thunderstorm asthma.
“Asthma is a serious respiratory condition that causes difficulty breathing and can cause death,” said the Director of the South East Public Health Unit, Professor Rhonda Stuart.
“It is important that anyone who is diagnosed with asthma ensures their asthma action plan is up to date.”
Thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high amounts of grass pollen in the air and a certain type of thunderstorm. For people who have asthma or hay fever this can trigger severe asthma symptoms.
“Those most at risk should ensure they take any prescribed medication as directed and develop or follow their asthma action plan or use asthma first aid if they experience symptoms.
“On high-risk forecast days, people with asthma or hay fever can reduce their risk by avoiding the outdoors, particularly the wind gusts that can begin before storms.”
These people should remain indoors to reduce the chance of exposure, close all windows and doors, and switch off any air conditioners that bring air in from outside.
A system to forecast the likelihood of thunderstorm asthma was launched in 2017 following the world’s largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne on 21 November 2016, when 10 people died and thousands developed breathing difficulties.
The forecast is on health.vic.gov.au and melbournepollen.com.au or the Melbourne Pollen app.
For more information on thunderstorm asthma, visit the betterhealth.vic.gov.au/thunderstorm-asthma.