Melbourne thunderstorm that caused six asthma deaths could happen in SA, experts warn
SIX people have now died from the “asthma thunderstorm” in Melbourne this week — and experts say a similar crisis could happen in South Australia.
THE freak thunderstorm which triggered a lethal asthma crisis in Melbourne this week could happen here health authorities say — and this is the peak danger season.
Six people have now died from asthma attacks in the Victorian disaster. A killer combination of a high pollen count, hot northerly “mini tornadoes”, a dramatic change in humidity and a thunderstorm left people gasping for breath.
Pollen grains broken down into even finer particles resulted in thousands of vulnerable people breathing air which irritated the lining of their airways, causing them to narrow and spark asthma flare-ups.
More than 8500 patients were treated in Melbourne hospitals on Monday night and Tuesday morning for breathing problems, many suffering breathing difficulties for the first time. Calls for ambulances soared fourfold.
Six patients have now died and another five patients remain in intensive care, three of whom are listed as critical.
Four of the victims have been identified as Hoppers Crossing law student Hope Carnevali, 20; Greenvale high school student Omar Moujalled, 18; Noble Park father-of-two Clarence Leo and Epping’s Apollo Papadopoulos, 35.
A review by Victoria’s Inspector-General of Emergency Management will see if public health alerts should have been issued ahead of the perfect asthma thunderstorm, which officials have described as “a health emergency on an unprecedented scale”.
Asthma Foundation SA health services manager Jo Williams, said now is the peak season for hay fever, when a thunderstorm could turn into a killer event. People do not have to be allergic to pollens or grasses to experience thunderstorm asthma.
“If the unique combination of a high pollen count and thunderstorm activity causing rain and changes in air pressure occurred in South Australia, then yes, people could have an increase in their asthma symptoms,” she said.
“People with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) are encouraged to look for symptoms of asthma, especially during the South Australian hay fever season of October to March and discuss these with their doctor.”
Asthma Foundation Victoria spokesman Robin Ould said the data suggests there were people with hay fever who have not previously experienced asthma symptoms but who were affected.
“We think this happened because of rye grass pollen,” he said.
“Wet and windy conditions can break down pollen grains into very fine allergenic particles that are inhaled into the lungs.”
Michael Dowding, 34, of Aberfoyle Park, was admitted to hospital with asthma several times as a child and is careful to monitor his condition.
“People do need to be aware of things, like a change in the weather and severe thunderstorms, which can cause problems with both asthma and hay fever. You need to be aware and be careful,” he said.