Doctors warn asthmatics and hayfever sufferers as potentially deadly thunderstorm season hits after 10 died when rough weather set off their condition in Melbourne

  • Melbourne's thunderstorm asthma disaster killed 10 people in November 2016
  • Respiratory doctor Michael Sutherland is warning hayfever sufferers to be ready
  • He has urged asthmatics, those with allergies to have Ventolin puffers handy 

By Stephen Johnson For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:37 EDT, 30 October 2018 | Updated: 00:47 EDT, 30 October 2018

Asthmatics and hayfever sufferers are being warned to brace for potentially deadly thunderstorms expected to hit Melbourne in coming weeks.

Dr Michael Sutherland, a respiratory specialist, is urging anyone with breathing difficulties to have a Ventolin puffer ready in the event of bad weather.

He issued the warning after thunderstorm asthma killed 10 people in Melbourne in November 2016, as bad weather stirred up dust and pollen, sparking fatal breathing difficulties.

Asthmatics and hayfever sufferers are being warned to brace for deadly thunderstorms expected to hit Melbourne (pictured) in coming weeks

Asthmatics and hayfever sufferers are being warned to brace for deadly thunderstorms expected to hit Melbourne (pictured) in coming weeks

'If you can, get a blue reliever puffer such as Ventolin,' he told the Nine Network's Today show on Tuesday.

Asthma symptoms

1. Wheezing

2. Chest tightness

3. Coughing

4. Shortness of breath 

Source: Asthma Australia 

Asked by Today co-host Georgie Gardner what asthma suffers should do if they didn't have Ventolin and were suffering from breathing problems, Dr Sutherland said: 'The first thing to do would be to stay indoors when the thunderstorm hits'. 

In August this year, Victorian coroner Paresa Spanos criticised triple-0 emergency services following the deaths of seven men and three women, aged between 18 and 57, on November 21, 2016.

Dr Sutherland, from Epworth HealthCare, pointed out that 20 per cent of people in Australia suffered from hayfever, which made thunderstorm asthma a risk for them too.

'They're the ones that are at risk of thunderstorm asthma,' he said. 

Dr Michael Sutherland (right talking to Today co-host Georgie Gardner), a respiratory specialist, is urging anyone with breathing difficulties to have a Ventolin ready in the event of bad weather

Dr Michael Sutherland (right talking to Today co-host Georgie Gardner), a respiratory specialist, is urging anyone with breathing difficulties to have a Ventolin ready in the event of bad weather

Hope Carnevali, a lifelong sufferer of asthma, was one of thousands of people across Melbourne triggered by the rare storm two years ago

Hope Carnevali, a lifelong sufferer of asthma, was one of thousands of people across Melbourne whose conditions were triggered by the rare storm two years ago

The roll-call of tragedy from 2016 thunderstorm asthma included Omar Moujalled, who died aged 18 after finishing his year 12 exams.

Law student Hope Carnevali was 20 when she died on the front lawn of her home in Melbourne's west waiting for an ambulance.

From October to the end of December each year, VicEmergency activates a forecast tool with thunderstorm asthma alerts.

In 2016, another 8500 people were hospitalised during Melbourne's thunderstorm asthma outbreak, caused by storms stirred up dust and pollen and sparking asthma attacks.

At the time hospitals declared a 'major disaster' after receiving more than 1900 triple-0 calls and almost depleting their Ventolin supplies.

Omar Moujalled, 18, who had just finished his year 12 exams, was the second victim of the 2016 freak 'asthma thunderstorm'

Omar Moujalled, 18, who had just finished his year 12 exams, was the second victim of the 2016 freak 'asthma thunderstorm'

Father-of-two Clarence Leo (right) died in November 2016 during thunderstorms in Victoria

Father-of-two Clarence Leo (right) died in November 2016 during thunderstorms in Victoria

Ann Peiris (left) and her husband Ranjith, 57, died during last year's thunderstorms

Ann Peiris (left) and her husband Ranjith, 57, died during last year's thunderstorms

Apollo Papadopoulos is believed to have died of an asthma attack during the thunderstorms in Victoria last year

Apollo Papadopoulos is believed to have died of an asthma attack during the thunderstorms in Victoria last year

The Australian Medical Association described the spike in respiratory illnesses during last year's storm as 'unprecedented'. 

In addition to widespread sickness, the wild weather also left a trail of destruction across Victoria with some residents reporting tornado-like conditions.

The tragedy caused the Victorian government to set up an early warning system in September in order to prevent further deaths.

A thunderstorm asthma weather event occurs when there are high pollen levels, strong winds, high temperatures and rainfall.

The warning system uses a traffic light system to advise people of risk levels. 

The Australian Medical Association described the spike in respiratory illnesses during last year's storm as 'unprecedented'

The Australian Medical Association described the spike in respiratory illnesses during last year's storm as 'unprecedented'

A thunderstorm asthma weather event occurs in certain conditions – where there are high pollen levels, strong winds, high temperatures and rainfall

A thunderstorm asthma weather event occurs in certain conditions – where there are high pollen levels, strong winds, high temperatures and rainfall

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Doctors warn asthmatics and hayfever sufferers to be prepared for deadly thunderstorm asthma

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