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.

Melissa Parry

First Aid Officer