Thunderstorm Asthma, Be Prepared.

Do you sneeze, get itchy, red or watery eyes, a runny or blocked nose or have any difficulty breathing due to spring allergies and asthma?

If so, you are now at risk to a dangerous weather event called Thunderstorm Asthma.

Thunderstorm asthma may happen anytime during September to January when Rye Grass pollen is around in the air. Thunderstorm asthma affects your breathing and can cause death.

This year, there is a greater risk of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occurring in Victoria due to the La'Nina effect - which usually means above-average winter–spring rainfall for Australia.

In 2016, thunderstorm asthma caused 10 deaths and thousands of people to go to hospital across Melbourne with breathing difficulty. 

Thunderstorm asthma can happen very quickly and strongly. You need to be thunderstorm asthma aware and prepared, it could save your life or your loved one.

To prepare for a thunderstorm asthma event, people living in South Eastern Australia, particularly in Victoria and South Western New South Wales, are advised to: 

• Find out now if you’re at risk. Get tested at your doctors for pollen allergies
• Control asthma and hay fever with daily preventative treatment provided by your doctor
• Download the Melbourne Pollen App to get Thunderstorm Asthma Warnings in Victoria, the AirRater App or sign up to Wagga Wagga SMS alerts for the Riverina region, to keep check for high or extreme pollen days
• Always carry an in-date asthma reliver with you, or know how to access one if your loved one has asthma
• Understand worsening asthma symptoms, how to do Asthma First Aid and when to call an ambulance. (*There are different types of relivers than just blue/grey – understand how to use your reliever puffer in an emergency if is it not blue/grey.)

Asthma Australia has information to help so you know what to do if an epidemic thunderstorm asthma warning is issued. 

Visit https://asthma.org.au/thunderstorm-asthma-be-prepared/ to access multilanguage thunderstorm asthma information and resources.

To learn more about thunderstorm asthma, how to be prepared and how to manage your asthma and/or allergies, speak with an Asthma Educator at 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462). 

If English is not your first language, simply call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Asthma Australia on 1800 278 462.

Sarah Knight

School Nurse