Thunderstorm asthma risk raised in parts of Victoria

Victoria has raised the risk of a thunderstorm asthma event to 'moderate' in parts of the state, with people asked to prepare for an outbreak.

Stock image of a person using an inhaler

Victoria has raised the risk of a thunderstorm asthma event to "moderate" in parts of the state. (AAP)

Victorians have been asked to prepare for a possible thunderstorm asthma outbreak, with authorities raising the risk to "moderate" in parts of the state.

Health authorities have warned of a moderate risk for "an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event" for the state's North Central and North East districts on Monday.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said moderate was in the "plan and prepare stage" of the early-warning system, and there was no immediate danger.

But people in affected areas should check the thunderstorm warning app or VicEmergency for updates in case the situation changes, and have their asthma plan ready.

A thunderstorm asthma warning system was introduced in Victoria following the deaths of nine people last year from what experts said was the world's worst recorded asthma thunderstorm.

The traffic-light warning system was raised to moderate on Sunday for the North Central, Northern Country and Central districts, which includes Melbourne.


Share
Published 9 October 2017 3:34am
Updated 9 October 2017 6:14am


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world