An environmental allergist who was among the first to discover and name the ‘thunderstorm asthma’ phenomenon has warned of the effort needed to avoid another tragedy

Almost six months on from the devastating thunderstorm asthma event that resulted in the deaths of nine Melbourne people, Associate Professor Cenk Suphioglu, from Deakin’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences, said the phenomenon should have been taken more seriously.
“The risk is there every grass pollen season, as long as the two key triggers of thunderstorm asthma are there,” A/Prof Suphioglu said.
“That’s high grass pollen counts, due to a wet winter and spring promoting grass growth and subsequent pollen release.....

Read more here: ajp.com.au

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Parent of asthma sufferer welcomes recommendation

New Zealanders have become "cavalier" when it comes to asthma, as so many people have it that it tends to get minimised, says one researcher.
Associate Professor Jim Reid from Otago University, a respiratory medicine researcher, was responding to a report that revealed the country's high rates of asthma and possible remedies.
One area with a high incidence was the Hutt DHB area, where 17 per cent of children have asthma, some three per cent higher than the national average.....

Read more here: stuff.co.nz

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May Is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asthma is a chronic medical condition that affects over 20 million Americans, including 6 million children. It is a lung disorder in which the bronchioles, the inner lining of the small breathing tubes of the lungs, become inflamed and swollen. The muscles in the walls of the bronchioles may spasm, or narrow, causing symptoms of asthma which include chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing. Individuals with mild asthma may not even be aware they have it, as wheezing may only be audible with a stethoscope if present at all.....

Read more here: globenewswire.com