Hay fever sufferers should get tested for undiagnosed asthma in the lead up to this year’s allergy season, a leading pollen expert warns
People with grass pollen allergies are most at risk of any future thunderstorm asthma event, like the deadly 2016 epidemic, said the head of Deakin University’s pollen counting and forecasting facility Deakin AIRwatch, Associate Professor Cenk Suphioglu.
Associate Professor Suphioglu said people living in Melbourne and Geelong in particular should keep a close watch on the AIRwatch website, and that anyone who knows they have a pollen allergy should see a medical assessment for their risk of asthma.
“Anyone who is allergic to grass pollen – those who wheeze and sneeze – are at risk, you don’t have to have an existing asthma diagnosis to be at risk when it comes to a thunderstorm asthma event,” said Associate Professor Suphioglu.
“People with pollen allergies are advised to speak to their health professionals to get a proper assessment and be put on an asthma action plan so they have their preventers and relievers at hand.
“On high-risk days they can also stay inside and close the doors and windows. It’s just about exercising a few sensible precautions to avoid exposure.”
Associate Professor Suphioglu said the greatest risk of a thunderstorm asthma event in Victoria was around mid-November.
The Deakin AIRwatch team is part of the Victorian Thunderstorm Asthma Pollen Surveillance network with the University of Melbourne, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Department of Health and Human Services.
The network is aimed at preventing a repeat of 2016’s event, which left nine dead and thousands fighting to breathe.
During the official hay fever season, from the beginning of October to the end of December, Deakin AIRwatch will collect data from pollen traps in Geelong and Burwood.
You don’t have to have an existing asthma diagnosis to be at risk when it comes to a thunderstorm asthma event.
- Associate Professor Suphioglu, AIRwatch
The research network will provide a coordinated monitoring, prediction and alert system to ensure Victorians have access to daily forecasts of allergen risk.
“Although grass pollen is produced from about September 1 onwards, we start to see it in significant numbers in October, with a peak in November,” said Associate Professor Suphioglu.
“While initial forecasts for this season are less severe than 2016, people should not be complacent and every season should be seen as a potential risk for epidemic thunderstorm asthma.”
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Read more: Your asthma checklist
