Health & Wellbeing

You may have heard on the news these last weeks of an increase in the incidence of Thunderstorm Asthma.

 

What is thunderstorm asthma?

During grass pollen season (1 October through to the end of December) people may notice an increase in asthma and hay fever. It also brings the chance of thunderstorm asthma.

Thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high amounts of grass pollen in the air and a certain type of thunderstorm. For people who have asthma or hay fever this can trigger severe asthma symptoms. At school we monitor the risk warnings and plan accordingly. On days with very high winds and high risk we may call an extreme weather recess and lunch and have our students remain inside.

Further information regarding thunderstorm asthma can be found via the links below.

 

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/epidemic-thunderstorm-asthma-risk-forecast

 

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/thunderstorm-asthma#bhc-content