Grass pollen season brings a seasonal increase in asthma and hay fever. It also brings the chance of epidemic thunderstorm asthma. Thunderstorm asthma can affect those with asthma or seasonal hay fever. Having both asthma and seasonal hay fever and poorly managed asthma increases the risk further.
The best way that those at risk can protect themselves is to have good control of their asthma and hay fever by having an up-to-date asthma action plan or hay fever treatment plan, learning asthma first aid and avoiding storms during the grass pollen season, including the wind gusts that precede them.
In addition, the National Asthma Council has recently updated the Australian Asthma Handbook with recommendations that offer new alternative treatment options for Victorians with mild asthma. All those with asthma, and particularly those with mild asthma, should see their GP to develop or review their asthma action plan and make sure any associated hay fever is well managed.
More than ever before, this year it is important to manage any hay fever or asthma symptoms, as these conditions can produce symptoms that are similar to coronavirus (COVID-19) such as a runny nose, cough or shortness of breath. While good management can help prevent these, it is critical to get tested for coronavirus if these are different to your usual symptoms.
The epidemic thunderstorm asthma public health campaign aims to ensure that all Victorians, and in particular people with asthma and/or hay fever, are as prepared as they can be should another epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occur.
The epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecast will be issued throughout the grass pollen season from 1 October 2020 to 31 December 2020. You can access the forecast via the VicEmergency website or app, the Health.Vic website or the Melbourne Pollen website or app.
If you have further questions on thunderstorm asthma, please call the department’s Environmental Health Unit on 1300 761 874 or email .
Health Protection Branch
Department of Health & Human Services