Thunderstorm asthma warning is issued to millions of Australians: 'Have a plan'

• Wetter than average spring forecast
• Aussies warned about 'thunderstorm asthma' 

Aussies are being urged to be on high alert this spring, amid fears that a rare and deadly weather-related medical phenomenon could strike again.

Health experts are bracing for a possible spike in thunderstorm asthma cases, nine years after a catastrophic event claimed ten lives in Melbourne.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a wetter-than-average spring for Australia's east coast, which means more grass pollens and other potential allergens will linger in the air and travel long distances.

When exposed to this air, the tiny particles of pollen can be breathed deep into the lungs, triggering an asthma flare-up or attack. 

Of the 26 epidemic thunderstorm asthma events recorded worldwide since 1983, 11 have occurred in Australia.

The largest and most catastrophic epidemic thunderstorm asthma event struck Melbourne in 2016, which hospitalised 8,000 people.

Among the 10 fatalities were a 18-year-old who had just finished his Year 12 exams, a 20-year-old law student, a young father-of-two, a dad of four, and a married couple in their 50s.

Triggered by a combination of high pollen levels, strong winds, high temperatures, and rainfall, thunderstorm asthma poses a health danger to all Australians.

Doctors urge asthmatics and those with a family history of the chronic lung condition to see their GP. 

Those who aren't asthmatic but are allergic to grass pollen or suffer hayfever are also at high risk of being struck down by thunderstorm asthma.

'Events like thunderstorm asthma can affect people who have never experienced asthma symptoms before,' Bupa Clinical Director Dr Tony MacDermott said.

'These individuals are less likely to have medication on hand, so it helps to know what medical resources are available to you before an incident strikes, to keep you safe and potentially out of hospital.'

The peak time for thunderstorm asthma is spring, but it can extend to December during the grass pollen season.

'[We] see increased levels of distress among asthmatics during spring, which highlights the fact that having a proactive conversation with your doctor can be the best medicine when it comes to seasonal health issues,' Dr MacDermott added.

'When it comes to asthma or any chronic health condition, the most important thing to have is a plan and the support you need to mitigate any risks and get the right care at the right time.'

Read more

• Is Melbourne’s air turning deadly with thunderstorm asthma season creeping dangerously close?
• How can unexpected thunderstorms unleash a deadly asthma attack risk even without a history of wheezing?
• Asthma's crushing impact: Why are hundreds of Australians losing their lives annually to this common condition?
• Will Aussies face a wild wet end to spring with damaging thunderstorms and severe weather warnings?
• Could the looming heat and humidity spark a spike in asthma attacks as temperatures rise to a blistering 30C?