First aid news

Thunderstorm asthma

There is an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and epidemic thunderstorm asthma during seasons with increased grass pollen levels. In Victoria, this is typically between October and December each year.

Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events are triggered by a combination of higher grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm.

People with a history of asthma, undiagnosed asthma or hay fever are at an increased risk under these conditions. This risk is increased further for people who have poorly treated hay fever and asthma.

The best way to reduce and prevent symptoms of asthma or hay fever and reduce unnecessary absences from school is to follow an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan, provided by a general practitioner (GP) or specialist.

How to prepare for grass pollen season

To prepare for higher grass pollen levels:

• review our Asthma policy and your school’s asthma policy, and ensure appropriate staff are trained in asthma first aid
• ensure all students diagnosed with asthma have an up-to-date asthma action plan, a student health support plan and student medication, including relievers (puffers)
• encourage staff and students with a history of seasonal hay fever symptoms to see a GP if they don’t have a hay fever treatment plan
• record preparations and response actions in your school Emergency Management Plan
• download the VicEmergency app and create a ‘watch zone’ to receive epidemic thunderstorm asthma advice and warnings
• ensure your school has an asthma emergency kit with in-date emergency reliever medication (available over the counter from a pharmacy without a prescription)  
• keep asthma medication readily accessible
• communicate information about thunderstorm asthma and your preparations to your school community. Draft newsletter text is available to help you share this information.

Managing risk

If a thunderstorm is forecast or occurs between October and December:

• avoid having anyone outside, especially during wind gusts that arrive before the storm
• close all doors and windows
• ensure air conditioners are set to recirculate air, and not bring air in from outside.

At all other times, schools should ventilate rooms with fresh air as much as possible.

For more information about maximising ventilation in schools, including the appropriate use and placement of air purifiers, refer to our Ventilation and Air Purification policy and the How to use an air purifier fact sheet.

Policy, guidance and resources

Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tabs:

• Asthma, including guidance about asthma attacks, cleaning asthma puffers and key information.

Find out more

For more information, refer to:

• Asthma Australia for a free online learning course about thunderstorm asthma
• Better Health Channel for more about epidemic thunderstorm asthma.

For information on responding to epidemic thunderstorm asthma, contact the operations and emergency management manager or emergency management support officer in your region.