In advance of storm activity in some areas of Victoria, asthmatics have been advised to remain extremely vigilant.
The Department of Health issued a thunderstorm asthma warning this afternoon due to forecasts of high grass pollen counts and thunderstorms with strong winds in west and south Gippsland.
According to the forecast, this year’s grass pollen season in the state will be ordinary, but officials are cautioning that things might change quickly.
The Department of Health released a statement saying that medical and emergency services are keeping a careful eye on the situation and are prepared to act.
Even in the absence of symptoms, affected individuals are advised to adhere to an asthma action plan and take preventative medicine as prescribed.
Events related to thunderstorm asthma usually start in October, when pollen is carried into the atmosphere and spread by storms.
In November 2016, ten people in Melbourne lost their lives to epidemic thunderstorm asthma, the greatest epidemic asthma episode in history.
