During grass pollen season (1 October - 31 December) people may notice an increase in asthma and/or hay fever symptoms. Grass pollen season also brings the chance of epidemic thunderstorm asthma.
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma is triggered by a unique combination of high amounts of grass pollen in the air and a certain type of thunderstorm.
For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing, thunderstorm asthma can sometimes be sudden, serious and even life threatening.
The symptoms of asthma, hay fever and COVID can be similar, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between them.
If you are experiencing symptoms different to your usual asthma and hay fever, or if they have restarted after a period of absence or if you are unsure – get tested for COVID and stay home whilst you are unwell.
The epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast will be issued throughout the grass pollen season.
During the grass pollen season, check the thunderstorm asthma forecast everyday through either the Melbourne Pollen website or Vic Emergency (links below).
If you get hay fever or if you have asthma, the safest thing to do is to stay indoors and keep your windows closed on high risk days.
Make sure you have your reliever inhalers handy and that your asthma action plan is up to date.
There are a number of ways you can stay up to date and help the community prepare for the coming season.
Follow social media accounts
Social media
Videos
Posters and brochure
Website and newsletter
Multicultural resources
A range of translated resources are available on the Epidemic thunderstorm asthma | Better Health Channel
The following Thunderstorm asthma overview video is available in the following languages:
አማርኛ (Amharic) | ܐܵܬܘܿܪܵܝܵܐܟܲܠܕܵܝܵܐ (Assyrian) | မြန်မာ (Burmese) | Thuɔŋjäŋ (Dinka) | ગુજરાતી (Gujarati) | ကညီကျိ (Karen) | ខ្មែរ (Khmer)
If you have further questions on thunderstorm asthma, please call the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Unit on 1300 761 874 or email [email protected].