Victoria will roll out six new automated pollen counters as part of an expanded thunderstorm asthma forecasting system this year, giving health authorities more accurate data and residents earlier warnings on high-risk days.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, speaking from the State Control Centre, urged people to prepare for the grass pollen season by using the Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma Risk Forecast System, which runs online until the end of December.
Replacing older manual traps, the new imaging technology provides faster and more precise pollen readings. Authorities say it makes Victoria the first state in the country to use such equipment on this scale, strengthening forecasts and health alerts.
The forecast system delivers a three-day outlook across Victoria’s nine weather districts, categorising the risk level as low, moderate, or high. On higher-risk days, people are advised to limit outdoor exposure to reduce the pressure on hospitals and ambulance services.
Thunderstorm asthma generally occurs from October to December when strong storm activity causes grass pollen grains to shatter into smaller particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, triggering severe asthma symptoms.
Those with asthma or hay fever are being urged to keep medication close, follow their action plans, and take extra precautions on forecast high-risk days, such as closing windows and staying indoors during storm gusts.
The system was first launched in 2017, a year after Melbourne’s thunderstorm asthma event on 21 November 2016, which caused 10 deaths and sent thousands to hospital in one of the world’s largest recorded outbreaks.
The new technology has been jointly funded, with the Allan Labor Government committing $2.97 million and the Albanese Government contributing $2.4 million through the Disaster Ready Fund. The federal support also covers three additional pollen counters in New South Wales, South Australia, and the ACT.
Minister Thomas said, “We want everyone to stay safe this pollen season, and with these high-tech upgrades, more Victorians can now stay informed and put their asthma action plans in place on high risk days.”
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain added, “Through our government’s flagship Disaster Ready Fund, we’re proud to support jurisdictions like Victoria to minimise the risk of thunderstorms for asthmatics through earlier warnings in time for the higher-risk weather season.”
Chief Health Officer Caroline McElnay urged vigilance: “People with asthma or hay fever can reduce their risk by avoiding being outdoors during thunderstorms, particularly the wind gusts that come before them. Check the VicEmergency app and plan ahead.”
Daily forecasts and health advice are available at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/thunderstorm-asthma or emergency.vic.gov.au.
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