Thunderstorm asthma is a potentially deadly event triggered by a unique mix of grass pollen and certain weather conditions. Back in 2016, Melbourne experiences the world’s largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event, killing ten, while thousands of others experienced breathing difficulties.
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00:00Thunderstorm asthma is a potentially deadly event, triggered by a unique mix of grass
00:06pollen and certain weather conditions.
00:09Back in 2016, Melbourne experienced the world's largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event,
00:15killing 10, while thousands of others endured significant breathing difficulties.
00:20We have learnt a lot of lessons since then and importantly I want to assure all Victorians
00:27that both our ambulance and hospital services are well placed to respond to any spike in
00:34demand that we might see should we have a thunderstorm asthma event.
00:40So what exactly brings on these events?
00:43Experts say it's mostly linked to ryegrass, which is a type of grass found in pastureland
00:48right across the state.
00:50When the grass pollen is high and there are storms, the chances of a thunderstorm asthma
00:55event increases.
00:57Typically for Victoria this is a line of thunderstorms or a sharp cool change that comes through
01:04that can lift those pollen particles up and then break them down into smaller particles
01:11that can then get down deep into the lungs.
01:14Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing or persistent coughing.
01:21Those most at risk are people who are asthmatic or prone to hay fever, but also people who
01:26are underprepared.
01:27It is important that no matter where you are that you're always taking precautions, make
01:32sure you see that GP, update your asthma action plan and keep an eye on those forecasts.
01:39On days of high risk it's really important that those people who are most at risk stay
01:44indoors.
01:45This is the safest way to make sure that you can decrease the risk of a thunderstorm
01:51asthma event.
01:52There is a three day rolling forecast on the Vic Emergency app or website, which shows
01:57the level of risk in each district.
01:59It ranges from green, which means the risk is low, to red, which indicates a high risk.
02:05While thunderstorm asthma events are quite rare, there are a few high risk days each
02:09season between October to the end of December.