Victorians have warned of the risk of thunderstorm asthma as severe storms threaten Brisbane and Sydney


Queensland has been surrounded by extreme weather conditions this week. Photo: Supplied Instagram yellowdogcountry

The Victorians have been warned of the stormy asthma conditions as high pollen counts potentially combine with isolated storm cells in the northeastern state.

The Victoria Department of Health on Saturday morning issued a moderate risk of stormy asthma for the northern, northeastern and eastern parts of Gippsland.

The Queenslanders and Sydneysiders are also bracing for wild weather on Saturday afternoon as huge thunderstorm cells begin to form.

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Stormy asthma – an illness that was only recently reported on health radars – typically affects people during the windy period before the onset of the rain, with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, pain. wheezing when you breathe and a persistent cough.

Thunderstorm cells pass over Gympie as Queensland faces a barrage of October storms.  Photo Lachie Millard
Thunderstorm cells pass over Gympie as Queensland faces a barrage of October storms. Photo Lachie Millard

Saturday’s warning for Victoria comes after environmental allergist and Deakin University associate professor Cenk Suphioglu warned this week that the next stormy asthma season could rival a 2016 event that killed 10 people and hospitalized 12,000 others.

According to Associate Professor Suphioglu, the stormy and wet weather of spring is expected to result in more grass growth and, as a result, high pollen counts.

This is especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems after contracting COVID-19 earlier.

“In 2016, people who had never suffered from traditional asthma before, but who were allergic to grass pollens, suffered from stormy asthma,” Associate Professor Suphioglu said.

“No one is safe from stormy asthma, and anyone with a history of grass pollen allergy as well as asthma or breathing problems should stay indoors if an asthma event occurs. stormy occurs. “

Meanwhile, storms are expected to hit Sydney later this afternoon, and Brisbane is bracing for another episode of extreme weather.

Over 120mm fell in parts of northwest Queensland overnight, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning the densely populated southeast corner to expect a thunderstorm, possibly severe, in the afternoon and the evening.

Sunshine State has faced a barrage of savage weather this week, including supercell storms, a mini tornado at Brisbane airport and record 16cm hailstones near Mackay.

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