UPDATE Friday 7.30am: People living in parts of central Victoria remain at moderate risk of thunderstorm asthma on Friday.
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While the forecast risk for the Northern Country district, which includes Bendigo, has been moved to low, the North Central and Central districts are forecast as being at moderate risk.
Thursday 6.50am: There is a moderate risk of thunderstorm asthma across central Victoria on Thursday.
The Northern Country, North Central and Central districts – encompassing such towns as Bendigo, Echuca, Castlemaine, Maryborough and Kyneton – all fall within the moderate risk forecast area, as does most of the state.
A warning of moderate risk means that one of the elements necessary for a thunderstorm asthma event may be present.
Authorities advise that people should be prepared, but not alarmed.
The Department of Health and Human Services says thunderstorm asthma is an uncommon phenomenon, but it can be serious and even life-threatening for those affected.
Thunderstorm asthma can affect people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever.
People at increased risk of thunderstorm asthma should avoid exposure to storms, especially the wind gusts that precede them.
Doors and windows should be closed and air conditioners turned to recirculate.
People are advised to ensure a reliever is available and they are familiar with their asthma action plan or asthma first aid.
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; if their condition does not improve, call triple zero for an ambulance.
Thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered when grass pollen grains swept up in wind burst open to release tiny allergens, which can be breathed into the lungs, triggering asthma symptoms.
To monitor thunderstorm asthma forecasts, visit the VicEmergency website or download the VicEmergency app.