Victorians brace for ‘high risk’ of epidemic asthma

Aussies who suffer from asthma and hay fever have been urged to prepare for several days of “high-risk” conditions in one state.

Asthma sufferers have been warned to remain vigilant, as there’s a “high risk” of epidemic thunderstorm asthma in Victoria on Friday and Saturday.

The alert, issued by the Victorian Department of Health, indicated much of the state would be subject to moderate and high-risk forecasts on Friday and the entire state by moderate and high-risk forecasts on Saturday.

Victorians with asthma and hay fever have been urged to avoid exposure to storms and wind gusts, keep a reliever on their person at all times and to review their asthma plan if they have one.

The asthma forecast for Friday. Picture: Department of Health

The entire state will be impacted by moderate to high-risk forecasts on Saturday. Picture: Department of Health

Thunderstorm asthma warnings were in place in the Mallee and North Central area as of 9am on Friday.

“People may experience asthma symptoms or difficulty breathing due to thunderstorm activity,” Vic Emergency said in a statement posted to its online warning platform.

“Thunderstorm asthma can be triggered by a 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.

“If you’re experiencing wheezing, breathlessness, a feeling of tightness in the chest or a persistent cough, you may be having an asthma attack.

“An asthma attack is serious and can be life-threatening.”

Asthma sufferers have been urged to avoid storms and wind as the state prepares for a week of wet weather. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray

Victorians have also been urged to call triple-0 immediately if someone is not breathing or if their asthma suddenly becomes worse or fails to improve.

An ambulance should also be called if a person is having an asthma attack and does not have their asthma reliever puffer with them.

Those with asthma have been advised to stay inside and to close all windows and doors.

They have also been urged not to use airconditioners, as they can bring air in from outside, a restriction that may prove difficult for parts of the state where temperatures will climb to 28C on Friday and Saturday.

A thunderstorm risk zone impacting the entire east coast on Friday will push south into Victoria over the weekend.

The storms are expected to bring up to 10mm of rain across Melbourne, with the mercury diving to a maximum of 19C on Sunday, leading into a week of cooler temperatures for the city.

Showers and winds up to 30km/h will continue in Melbourne through to Thursday next week.

Originally published as Victorians brace for ‘high risk’ of epidemic asthma