Update Friday 12:39pm: From Emergency Management Victoria
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This Advice message is to advise that people may experience asthma symptoms or difficulty breathing due to the combination of thunderstorm activity and high grass pollen levels in the Wimmera and South West Weather Districts.
- If you have a history of asthma or hay fever, or you experience wheezing, breathlessness, a feeling of tightness in the chest or a persistent cough, you should have reliever medication with you at all times today.
- Avoid the wind gusts before the storm. Go inside and close your windows and doors before and during the storm.
- If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms you may be having an asthma attack.
- An asthma attack is serious and can be life threatening.
- If you develop asthma symptoms, follow your asthma action plan, or if you don't have a plan, follow the 4 steps of asthma first aid.
Be aware of an increased chance of having an asthma attack or breathing difficulties.
Call triple zero (000) immediately if someone is not breathing, if their asthma suddenly becomes worse or is not improving, or if the person is having an asthma attack and a reliever is not available.
What you should do:
- If you have asthma carry a reliever puffer (usually blue) on you at all times today.
- If you have hay fever, review the asthma first aid steps and have a reliever puffer suitably available.
- If using air conditioning, turn it onto recirculate.
If you are experiencing asthma symptoms for the first time:
- Don't ignore them, see your doctor to make a diagnosis and if severe call Triple Zero (000).
- If required use asthma first aid. Remember that asthma relievers are available from pharmacies without a prescription.
- Make sure you follow up with your doctor.
- Call Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24 or see your doctor if you require medical advice.
This message was issued by Chief Health Officer.
The next update is expected by 01/11/2019 07:00 pm or as the situation changes.
Thursday: The Victorian Department of Health's latest forecast predicts there being a high chance of epidemic thunderstorm asthma in the Wimmera on Friday.
The department says this means there is a high pollen forecast and severe thunderstorms with strong winds are likely to be present, increasing the risk of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event occurring.
"People with current, past or un-diagnosed asthma or hay fever are considered to be at risk," the department says.
"Having both asthma and hay fever or poorly controlled asthma increases the risk further. Those at increased risk should:
- avoid exposure to any storms that may emerge, especially the wind gusts that precede them
- have a reliever appropriately available (as discussed with your doctor or pharmacist)
- remind themselves of their asthma action plan and have practical knowledge of the four steps of asthma first aid.
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