Healthy Community

Thunderstorm Asthma

There is an increased risk of seasonal asthma, hay fever and thunderstorm asthma in Victoria from October to December.

Thunderstorm asthma is triggered by a combination of higher grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm.

Under these conditions, people are at higher risk of a sudden and serious asthma attack if:

• they have a history of asthma
• their asthma or hay fever is poorly treated.

Thunderstorm asthma can occur even in people who have never had asthma before. You should apply asthma first aid and get emergency help to someone who has any of these symptoms:

• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• chest tightness.

Following an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan, provided by a GP or specialist, can lesson symptoms of asthma or hay fever and reduce absences from school.

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, and a student health support plan if required. Check they have the right medication, including relievers (puffers)
• encourage staff and students with a history of seasonal hay fever symptoms to visit 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 thunderstorm asthma advice and warnings
• ensure your school has an asthma emergency kit with in-date emergency reliever medication (available from a pharmacy without a prescription)
• keep asthma medication readily accessible
• communicate information about thunderstorm asthma and your preparations to your school community – template content is available to help you share this information.

Managing Risk

If a thunderstorm is forecast or occurs from October to 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 to bring air in from outside.

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

Protecting against mosquito-borne diseases

Warm and wet weather can result in greater numbers of mosquitoes and an increased risk of illness from mosquito bites. While the overall risk in Victoria is currently low, some mosquitoes may be carrying diseases that make people sick.  

The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is to avoid mosquito bites. 

Families can protect against mosquito bites by:   

• making mosquito protection part of getting ready to go outside, just like sunscreen and a hat 
• covering up as much as possible with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing   
• applying insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on exposed skin when outdoors  
• limiting outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are often most active 
• cleaning up and removing containers and items around the home that may hold water where mosquitoes may breed. 

 Families with any health concerns should see their doctor or phone Nurse-on-Call: 1300 606 024 (available 24 hours). 

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines  

Japanese encephalitis virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes. It can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain. 

A free vaccine is available to eligible Victorians at higher risk of the virus.  

For more information, including vaccine eligibility, refer to the Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis webpage.  

Find out more 

For more information on protecting against mosquito-borne diseases, families can refer to the following Better Health Channel pages: 

• Mosquitoes can carry diseases 
• Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease, including a handy checklist to help reduce mosquito breeding sites at home and resources translated into other languages. 
• Japanese encephalitis virus. 

H5 Bird flu

Cases of H5 bird flu have been confirmed in birds across Australia, including in south-west Victoria.  

Our school has steps to follow if sick or dead birds are found at or near our school. 

If you see a sick or dead bird at or near the school, please let us know. If you find a sick or dead bird in the community, the advice from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is to:   

1. avoid contact and keep your distance 
2. record date, time, location and take photos 
3. report it to using an online form or through the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888. 

For current information about reporting, refer to DEECA’s H5 bird flu page. 

For more information, you can check out these bird flu resources from the Australian Government.