Study lifts lid on deadly aftermath of tropical storms

A Monash University study has revealed that there is an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular and respiratory illness for up to 30 days after a cyclone event.

As Queensland prepared for Tropical Cyclone Kirrily to hit on Thursday evening – and with more intense tropical cyclones expected in the future due to a warming climate – a Monash University study has found that there is an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular and respiratory illness for up to 30 days after a cyclone event.

In Australia, this risk lasts for up to 17 days.

The study, led by Professor Yuming Guo and published in the journal PLOS Medicine, found a rise in mortality around 20 days after a cyclone in most countries and 30 days in the US, Brazil and Taiwan.

Professor Guo found that except for the immediate physical impacts such as drowning and injuries, tropical cyclones can also cause death via medical support disruptions, environmental contamination, and psychosocial stress.

Australia and New Zealand experienced an average period of less than 10 days following a cyclone when the risk of all-cause mortality increased.

Drone footage of Daintree village on January 12 after a monsoon low dropped more rain as the region recover from ex-cyclone Jasper. Photo: Vincent O'Flaherty

However, a more prolonged period of concern, spanning 17 days, for increased mortality risk from heart and respiratory problems was found after a cyclone in Australia and New Zealand.

“Previous studies have looked at the cyclone impact on injuries or accidental deaths but they don’t look at cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease or some other chronic diseases,” Professor Guo said.

“All public health services should be aware of this problem and they need to take action.”

In Australia and New Zealand, a particularly high death risk from respiratory problems was observed, as the risk rose by more than 30 per cent once a cyclone passed.

“We call this period of concern a delayed effect. Different countries have different social economic status’ which can influence the impact of a cyclone,” he said.

Professor Guo and the Monash team are looking to provide the evidence to the federal government to protect residents in the firing line of these weather systems.

Experts warn more tropical cyclones could be on the cards for Australia in the future and Professor Guo said the risk of mortality may also increase.

“We need to (create) policies and training of public health services to reduce the risk from tropical cyclones,” he said.

MIKAELA MULVENEY