The highest risk period for thunderstorm asthma is here, if you suffer from asthma or hay fever, it is important to be prepared.
Thunderstorm asthma occurs when people develop serious asthma symptoms over a short period of time caused by high amounts of pollen and a certain type of thunderstorm.
You can check the Victorian Government’s epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast here: health.vic.gov.au
A Monash expert is available to talk about tips on how to cope with and prepare for this years’ thunderstorm asthma season.
Professor Mark Hew, Head of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology, Alfred Hospital, and Adjunct Clinical Professor, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Professor Hew:
“Thunderstorm-triggered asthma can occur during Spring with little warning in Southeast Australia. The last Victorian thunderstorm asthma epidemic in 2016 claimed 10 lives.
“The high-risk period for thunderstorm asthma for 2024 has already begun, running from mid-October until Christmas, and all Melburnians and Victorians should be aware of steps that they or their family and friends need to take.
“Those at highest risk are those with known allergic asthma, but people with ryegrass pollen-triggered hayfever are also at risk.
“People with known asthma should see their GPs to renew their action plans, and check they have reliever medication available. Those prescribed preventer inhalers should take them as directed, to protect themselves from pollen triggered attacks.
“People at risk should be alert to thunderstorm asthma warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology, and stay indoors with windows shut during those periods.”
For more Monash media stories visit our news & events site: monash.edu/news
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, contact the Monash University Media Unit on +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
