Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) director of the public health unit Tracey Oakman has urged asthma sufferers and people with breathing problems to take extra precautions not just this week, but for at least the next month during what is considered to be peak thunderstorm season.

“Where possible avoid being outside during thunderstorms over the next four weeks. Parents should be vigilant to keep their children inside during storms, with the doors and windows closed,” said Mrs Oakman.

In Melbourne in 2016, about 3600 more people than usual went to hospital and nine died from asthma attacks after a severe thunderstorm.

“Thunderstorms cause pollen grains to explode and release fine particles which can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, causing even more people to wheeze and sneeze,” Mrs Oakman said.

“Anyone with diagnosed asthma should carry their asthma medication with them at all times during this high risk period.”

The public health unit will be monitoring thunderstorm activity and pollen count levels and issuing alerts at these high risk times.

“If you have asthma, make sure you have an asthma action plan and are proactively managing your symptoms.

“It’s also important for people to know Asthma first aid, so they can help family and friends when they need it.”

The four steps to remember are:

Breathing difficulties can be life threatening. In the event of an asthma emergency dial triple zero (000) immediately, Mrs Oakman said.

Charles Sturt University has set up a SMS alert system when the pollen counts are high and thunderstorms are predicted.

Bruce Graham, an adjunct lecturer at CSU’s School of Biomedical Sciences, said the pollen counting had begun in mid-September.

Dr Graham said while the tree pollen which were traditionally associated with hayfever had been high, the grass pollen usually linked to asthma had remained quite low so far this spring.

While the grass pollen levels were beginning to rise, they were not yet a cause for concern, he said.

However, Dr Graham warned against relying solely on the pollen count when it came to preparing for asthma.

“The pollen counts in the middle of Wagga could be very different to those in the smaller satellite communities,” he said.

“The count is a gauge, and it’s a good reminder about being prepared and making decisions, such as ‘should I go out on the golf course or stay inside today’.”

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