Last Monday (Nov 21), Melbourne was hit by the worst case of 'thunderstorm asthma' Australia (and some experts say, the world) has ever seen. More than 85,000 Melburnians were hospitalised, and eight people lost their lives in an event that Health Minister Jill Hennessy likened to "having 150 bombs going off at once right across Melbourne".
Today, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a health warning for another potential bought of thunderstorm asthma this Sunday, where temperatures are expected to soar into the humid thirties before dropping into a cool change and a possible thunderstorm. Experts say that respiratory problems can be caused by strong winds blowing pollen grains across Melbourne, before sudden rain breaks them apart, making them small enough to enter into the lungs.
Unlike last week, when the storm took the health system unawares, government officials are this time planning ahead to accommodate a higher number of hospital admissions.
"Every paramedic feels that, we feel those loses," @AmbulanceVic's Paul Holman. They are preparing for potential Thunderstorm Asthma on Sun
— ABC Radio Melbourne (@774melbourne) December 2, 2016
So take care, Melbourne. Keep your Ventolin inhaler on you if you have one, and if your symptoms are getting worse, make sure you seek help.