General News
3 December, 2024
Alert for asthma thunderstorms
Wimmera residents are being asked to be alert to the threat of thunderstorm asthma.
VicEmergency issued a warning last week for most of the state.
"If you have asthma and/or hay fever and experience sneezing, itchy, red or watery eyes, a runny or blocked nose or have any difficulty breathing, you may be at risk of thunderstorm asthma," a spokesperson said.
"Thunderstorm asthma can be dangerous and can cause severe difficulty in breathing."
The condition is caused primarily by ryegrass pollen, which is a major trigger for asthma and allegic rhinitis (commonly known as hay fever).
Thunderstorm asthma first came to public attention eight years ago.
On November 21 2016, more than 3500 people across Victoria presented to emergency rooms in respiratory distress, and 10 died.
Ryegrass pollen that had peaked in the preceding days was ruptured by rain and moisture, making it small enough to be inhaled
A thunderstorm then brought those particles down to ground level.
VicEmergency recommends that anybody affected in a similar event:
- Go inside, close all doors and windows, and turn any operating air conditioners re-circulate
- Keep an asthma reliever and hay fever medicine on hand or know how to access this medicine
- Follow a written asthma action plan
- Never ignore asthma symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing and tightness in the chest
- Start asthma first aid immediately and call Triple Zero (000) for help if symptoms persist or increase
- Stay up to date with alerts and advice for the Wimmera.