Pollen count causes hayfever attacks to increase in parts of Melbourne

People living in Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs are more prone to serious coughing attacks and breathing issues caused by hayfever. Here’s why.

People living in Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs are more susceptible to coughing and spluttering thanks to a hayfever attack, it’s been revealed.

That’s because the wind patterns that give much-needed warm weather after a cold winter also dump pollen, according to the experts.

Head of Deakin AirWatch at Deakin University Associate Professor Cenk Suphioglu said northerly winds — well known for bringing warmer air to Melbourne’s from the Red Centre — brought with it pollen from the state’s northwest, where grass was grown to feed livestock.

“Grass pollen, as part of their life cycle, are wind pollinated, meaning they can be taken on a trip over long distances, particularly coming from the state’s northwest region,” he said.

Mr Suphioglu said a high pollen day coupled with a favourable northerly could take pollen “on a trip” across the state into large areas of metropolitan Melbourne.

Professor Cenk Suphioglu is an expert in thunderstorm asthma. Picture: Jay Town.

The CBD was also prone to copping an unwanted dumping of pollen, he said.

But there is some good news if you wanted to escape a hayfever attack and still call Melbourne home — ideally find a place near a large body of water or the bay.

Mr Suphioglu said there was strong evidence that parts of Melbourne were protected from pollen water acting as a trap.

“So if you really wanted to escape, you might want to go to the Peninsula suburbs,” he said.

And while for the most part, pollen is an annoyance, there are times — call it the perfect storm — when it can become life threatening.

How did Melbourne feel this week? https://t.co/onLgBG0ge9
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This week's high grass pollen levels & thunderstorm asthma alerts have been tough. Our latest animation reveals how Melburnians have been feeling.#melbourne#asthma#pollen#hayfever#thunderstormasthmapic.twitter.com/KUrKrymUb3

— Melbourne Pollen Count and Forecast (@MelbournePollen) November 9, 2023

In 2016 a massive thunderstorm event triggered a massive surge in asthma attacks, with 10 people dying as Victoria’s healthcare system overwhelmed with a 672 per cent increase in respiratory-related presentations.

“Unfortunately we saw a lot of the casualties coming from the west because pollen grains can endure a long distance but once they rupture they can also their range is extended further,” Mr Suphioglu said.

Already this year there have been warnings of possible asthma thunderstorms.

In October, Melbourne Pollen’s Dr Edwin Lampugnani said they were “seeing conditions we haven’t previously seen” — making exact predictions difficult — but the warm summer ahead increased the risk.

“It’s not just people with asthma,” Dr Lapugnani said.

“Thunderstorm asthma can affect anybody, even those who have not been diagnosed with asthma (because) the pollen grains are quite large.”

#Melbourne grass #pollen forecast for today (Friday, Nov 10) is Extreme. Get the App for more pollen forecasts: https://t.co/9tGM9OKvvQ

Note: Other locations within Victoria have an Extreme forecast today. pic.twitter.com/7o4JJxNk5H

— Melbourne Pollen Count and Forecast (@MelbournePollen) November 9, 2023

Dr Lapugnani said following the 2016 event, research showed the people who were less at risk were those who had an asthma action plan in place to prevent attacks.

Since 2016, more pollen monitoring was put in place to be able to warn people of the risks.

“We have been able to change our service and provide people with the information that they need so they can be forewarned,” he said.

However, there was still a particular risk in cultural and linguistically diverse communities who may not be receiving and understanding the advice, he said.

And it’s not just humans at risk, pets can be in danger of hayfever attacks too.

Mr Suphioglu said research had been done after the 2016 event that showed dogs, particularly beagles, had similar immune systems and responses to humans.