SYDNEY: Health authorities of Australia’s Victoria state have issued a warning to residents about the heightened risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma as the region enters its grass pollen season.
During the grass pollen season, typically spanning from October to December, Victoria Health has cautioned that there is a seasonal uptick in asthma and hay fever cases, along with the potential for thunderstorm-induced asthma.
In a statement, it was noted that Melbourne experienced one of the world’s largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma events on November 21, 2016. Over a 30-hour period from 6:00 p.m. local time, there was a staggering 672 percent surge in respiratory-related hospital admissions at Melbourne and Geelong public hospitals. This event tragically resulted in ten fatalities and left thousands of people struggling to breathe within a very short timeframe.
In preparation for individuals susceptible to grass pollen, the state has already activated its forecasting system starting from October 1 this year.
