Victoria's Chief Health Officer advises there is currently a high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma for the North Central and West and South Gippsland districts.
The combination of forecast high grass pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm with strong winds means that there is a chance that a large number of people may develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time.
Health and emergency services are monitoring the situation closely and are ready to respond.
People with asthma, spring hay fever, and those with undiagnosed asthma are at increased risk and should avoid the wind gusts before and during the storm by going inside and closing your windows and doors and turning off air conditioners that bring in air from the outside (ie evaporative air conditioners).
People with asthma should have their reliever medication with them at all times today and review their asthma action plan. Those with spring hay fever should learn asthma first aid and have ready access to an asthma reliever at short notice.
