Media release
9.30AM,Tuesday, 22 November 2016
The Northern Hospital, CODE BROWN
 Due to an influx of patients presenting to The Northern Hospital’s Emergency
Department with respiratory illness, Northern Health has commenced Code
Brown procedures.
 Emergency Departments across Victoria have experienced an increase in patients
seeking treatment overnight due to asthma caused by overnight thunderstorms.
 During this time, our priority is the health and wellbeing of our patients, staff and
the community.
*Attribute to Dr Alison Dwyer, Chief Medical Officer
Background:
What is thunderstorm asthma?
Thunderstorm asthma is a phenomenon whereby there is a sudden increase in the number of people
suffering an acute asthma attack, shortly after the development of a thunderstorm.
Thunderstorm asthma usually occurs in spring or early summer due to a combination of unusual
weather events including high levels of grass pollens in the environment. Thunderstorms, due to the
wind and moisture associated with them, can cause these pollens to rupture into tiny particles which
can then be concentrated at ground level. Here they can be easily inhaled into the lungs where they
can cause an asthma attack in people who are pollen-allergic.
Thunderstorm asthma begins as a thunderstorm develops. The outflow winds of a thunderstorm can
carry these particles ahead of the thunderstorm and as such, some people may experience symptoms
shortly before a thunderstorm arrives.
Additional Resources:
https://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/vic/home
https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/
http://www.ambulancevictoria.vic.gov.au
Further updates from Northern Health will be provided as they arise, via www.nh.org.au.
All media enquiries should be directed to 03 84052313/ 0400 624 329
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