Elevated pollen levels and the possibility of gusty thunderstorms have led ACT Health to warn there is an elevated risk of a thunderstorm asthma event striking the Canberra region this weekend, 17-19 December.
The risk of thunderstorm asthma is higher following wetter weather than usual this year, encouraging grass growth and increased stormy weather in our region.
Not all thunderstorms produce an asthma event, and thunderstorm asthma is a rare event.
Multiple local warnings have been issued over the years, but a thunderstorm asthma event has not yet been recorded in the Canberra region.
A November 2016 thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne, the world’s largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event, was attributed as the cause of nine deaths and an “unprecedented surge” in asthma and respiratory distress.
However, people who suffer from hay fever and/or asthma are encouraged to be vigilant over the weekend for any worsening of their condition.
People who have been diagnosed with asthma in the past should also be prepared for a thunderstorm asthma event during the pollen season, particularly if they have suffered or continue to suffer from hay fever. Carry a reliever (blue puffer) with you.
Where possible avoid being outside during a thunderstorm – especially in the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. If you have your air conditioning on, you can turn it onto recirculate.
If you develop asthma symptoms, use your reliever (blue puffer) medication, and follow your asthma action plan, if you have one. If you experience asthma symptoms that are not relieved by usual asthma treatment, you should seek further urgent medical advice. In the event of a medical emergency, you should call 000.
A useful resource to help Canberrans monitor pollen levels is the free AirRater Smartphone app, which provides users with real-time information on air quality. Click here to download the free AirRater smartphone application.
For more information on managing asthma and hay fever: read the Asthma, Hay Fever and Pollen Allergy information sheet, or visit ACT Health’s Pollen Allergy webpage.
For daily levels of grass pollen in the ACT visit the Canberra Pollen Count and Forecast Service.
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
