A moderate thunderstorm asthma risk has been forecast for the southern parts of central Victoria.
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The forecast covers the Central forecast district, which encompasses Malmsbury, Kyneton and Woodend, among other localities.
The forecast is also in place for the South West, and West and South Gippsland forecast districts.
A forecast of moderate risk means that one of the elements necessary for a thunderstorm asthma event may be present.
Elsewhere in the region, the risk is forecast as low.
People at increased risk of thunderstorm asthma should avoid exposure to any storms, especially the wind gusts that precede them.
They should also have a reliever available, and make sure they are familiar with their asthma action plan or asthma first aid.
Thunderstorm asthma can affect people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever.
If a person is having trouble breathing, they should be sat upright, then given four puffs of a reliever puffer, with four breaths per puff when using a spacer.
If there is no improvement, use the puffer again, and if their condition still does not improve, call triple zero for an ambulance.
Thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered when grass pollen grains swept up in the wind of a storm burst open to release tiny allergens, which can trigger asthma symptoms.