By Esther Lauaki
Pollen season has sprung and residents with allergies and health issues are being urged to take precautions against the chance of thunderstorm asthma.
Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton said the health department began forecasting epidemic thunderstorm asthma risks last week.
“We want everyone, particularly those with asthma or hay fever, to be as prepared as they can for the grass pollen season,” Dr Sutton said.
“The best way to protect yourself from thunderstorm asthma is through good management of asthma and hay fever.”
Dr Sutton said the online forecasting system through the VicEmergency site could assist people to protect themselves, but shouldn’t replace good asthma and hay fever care.
“Those at risk should always follow their asthma or hay fever treatment plan,” he said.
“Where possible, people with asthma and hay fever should also avoid exposure to springtime thunderstorms, especially the wind gusts that precede them.”
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma is an uncommon phenomenon where many people experience asthma over a short period of time and is thought to be triggered by a particular type of thunderstorm when there are high amounts of grass pollen in the air.
While these events are uncommon, when they do occur, they do so between October and the end of December.
Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, feeling tight in the chest, or experiencing persistent coughing.
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