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Hundreds of people in Victoria have been hospitalised in the past 24 hours after weather conditions triggered extreme asthma reactions.
There were 231 Victorians admitted to state emergency departments between 4pm yesterday and 2.30pm today, amid high grass pollen levels and thunderstorms with strong winds.
A Victorian Government spokesperson confirmed the number of asthma-related hospitalisations had risen in the past month.
“The average number of daily asthma-related emergency department presentations at Victorian public hospitals was 43,” the spokesperson said.
It comes just over a week after Victorians were warned of a potentially deadly thunderstorm asthma season, with authorities warning of epidemic forecasts for west and south Gippsland.
Over the past 24 hours there were 50 emergency department hospitalisations at Casey Hospital, 44 at Dandenong Hospital, 23 at Monash Medical Centre and 21 at Frankston Hospital.
Thunderstorm asthma events typically occur from October, when pollen is drawn into the atmosphere and dispersed through a storm.
The current outlook predicts the state will have an average grass pollen season this year, but authorities are warning conditions can change rapidly.
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Yesterday’s thunderstorm asthma risk was listed as moderate in Melbourne, while today’s forecast is low.
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Affected people are urged to take preventative medication as directed and follow an asthma action plan, even if symptom-free.
The forecasting system enables people who have asthma or seasonal hay fever – and who are at risk – to plan ahead and reduce their risk.
Call Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24 or see your local doctor if you require medical advice.
Call triple zero immediately if someone is not breathing, if their asthma suddenly becomes worse or is not improving, or if the person is having an asthma attack and a reliever puffer is not available.
