Allergy-prone Victorians will be able to keep tabs on the pollen count under a plan to prevent a repeat of the 2016 fatal thunderstorm asthma event.
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A monitoring system went live on Monday and will read pollen levels during the state's grass season until December.
Data from pollen counters at Parkville, Burwood, Waurn Ponds, Hamilton, Creswick, Bendigo, Dookie and Churchill will be shared online at www.melbournepollen.com.au
The system was established to help prevent a repeat of thunderstorm asthma, which killed 10 people in Melbourne in November 2016. All of the victims had asthma and most suffered hay fever.
Thunderstorm asthma is a rare event which occurs when a large group of people experience asthma, often triggered by high pollen levels mixed with weather conditions.
"The best way to protect yourself from thunderstorm asthma is through good management of asthma and hay fever," Victoria's deputy chief health officer Angie Bone said.
Australian Associated Press
