Thunderstorm asthma is nothing to just sneeze at. It can lead to serious health concerns.
Western Victoria Primary Health Network (WVPHN) is encouraging both health professionals and the community to ensure they know what to do when there is a high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecast.
Higher grass pollen counts generally occur in the months from October to December and, when combined with a particular type of uncommon thunderstorm, can increase the chances of people being impacted by thunderstorm asthma.
Those most at risk are people with current or past asthma and people with undiagnosed asthma while those prone to springtime hay fever also could be vulnerable.
The world’s largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occurred in Victoria in November 2016. It resulted in more than 12,000 people presenting to emergency departments at Victorian hospitals. Several deaths related to the event were also recorded.
Governments, health and emergency services now recognise epidemic thunderstorm asthma is a broad and significant risk for the Victorian community during the grass pollen season. Therefore, planning and protocols are in place to minimise health impacts on the community during high-risk periods.
What everyone can do now
- Bookmark relevant resources and monitor alerts from VicEmergency and the Department of Health so you know when a high-risk of thunderstorm asthma is forecast. Also ensure the VicEmergency App is downloaded on your phone
- Follow WVPHN on Facebook for updates and alerts relevant to our region.
How health professionals can prepare
- Know who your at-risk patients are and how you can support them to manage symptoms and minimise the chance of severe illness.
- Develop a practice plan and have a checklist ready to help with health service, emergency department or urgent care centre planning.
- Reach out to your practice facilitator for further information or guidance and check that you are on WVPHN’s mailing list, so you receive health advisories and health alerts from us.
Health professionals are also invited to an online information session on Asthma in Spring – Allergies and Thunderstorm Asthma to be held on 16 October. For more information and to register, please refer to the event page.
More information and resources are available from our Thunderstorm Asthma web page.