Victorians warned thunderstorm asthma ‘perfect storm’ is brewing

Victorians have been warned to brace for significant thunderstorm asthma events this year.

The director of two pollen monitoring stations, Deaking AIRwatch director Associate Professor Cent Suphioglu, has told the Herald Sun Victoria faces a “perfect storm” of conditions from the start of November, with high pollen counts, humidity and wet, stormy weather expected.

The worst thunderstorm asthma event on record happened in Melbourne in November 2016, leading to 10 deaths.

Allergy specialist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Professor Jo Douglass, says “we’re due” a thunderstorm asthma event.

“Thunderstorm asthma events recur every five to seven years and we’re up to six years now,” she told Ross and Russel.

Those who suffer asthma or hay fever are urged to see their GP and always have asthma treatment on hand.

Press PLAY below to hear why the thunderstorm asthma risk is so high this year