General News
18 October, 2023
Monitor risks of thunderstorm asthma
The combination of flowering grasses and unstable weather makes spring and early summer thunderstorm asthma season in the Wimmera, and locals are being urged to keep an eye on the apps and websites and prepare for risk days. Bureau of Meteorology...
The combination of flowering grasses and unstable weather makes spring and early summer thunderstorm asthma season in the Wimmera, and locals are being urged to keep an eye on the apps and websites and prepare for risk days.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Keris Arndt said with grass pollen in abundance, the rate of regular asthma and hayfever rises - and when these two central ingredients align, the chance of people experiencing thunderstorm asthma also rises.
“Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events are when many people develop asthma symptoms in a short time,” Mr Arndt said.
“They may happen when certain atmospheric conditions occur on a high grass pollen day.
“Predicting the likelihood of storm days, more than a few days in advance, is extremely difficult in Victoria.
“The best advice is to take precautions ahead of time, and keep up-to-date with the weather forecast and the epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast issued daily by the Victorian Department of Health.”
The department’s forecasting system was launched in 2017, following the world’s largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne on November 21 2016.
The event saw 10 people die and thousands across the state develop breathing difficulties.
Dr Edwin Lampugnani of Melbourne Pollen said grass pollen season typically ran from the start of October till the end of December.
“Melbourne Pollen works closely with the Bureau of Meteorology and the Victorian Department of Health to provide timely and accurate information on pollen levels to help Victorians better manage their respiratory health,” Dr Lampugnani said.
“Our forecasts - issued between October 1 and December 31 - are powered by data from a network of eight pollen monitoring sites strategically positioned across Victoria.
“This wide coverage and rich data stream allows us to generate accurate, location-specific grass pollen forecasts.”
The forecast is available daily on health.vic.gov.au, as well as on the Melbourne Pollen and VicEmergency websites and apps.
Wimmera residents using the VicEmergency app can set up a “watch zone” to receive advice and warnings for their area.
The forecast gives a three-day outlook which rates the risk of a thunderstorm asthma event.
The ratings, ranging from low (green) through moderate (orange) to high (red), cover all nine Victorian weather districts, includes the Wimmera, Mallee and South West.
National Asthma Council Australia director and respiratory physician Professor Peter Wark said taking preventer medication was important for people with asthma or hayfever.
“The best defence that Victorians with seasonal hayfever or asthma can have as they head into thunderstorm asthma season, is good day-to-day control of their conditions,” Professor Wark said.
“Now is the time to check in with your GP to review your asthma plan and know what to do during a spring thunderstorm or asthma emergency.”
Professor Wark warned that “a blue reliever inhaler does not stop the inflammation that causes asthma and will not prevent an asthma attack”.
On high-risk-forecast days, anyone with asthma or spring hayfever can reduce their risk of an attack by sheltering from storms - particularly the wind gusts that precede them.
It’s recommended people at risk stay indoors to reduce exposure to pollen, close the windows and doors, and turn off air conditioners to stop them drawing in contaminated air from outside.
The current prediction is for an average grass pollen season across Victoria this year.