The storm that hit Melbourne In 2016 it was a meteorological phenomenon and an unexpected health event that left a deep mark on the Australian city. The public health crisis that unfolded, known as storm asthmabecame a global alert about the effects of extreme weather events on people with respiratory problems. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds, in addition to dragging with it millions of pollen grains, which, when fragmented, dispersed into the air and triggered a wave of unprecedented asthma attacks.
In the case of Melbourne, the November 2016 storm unleashed a phenomenon that had been observed sporadically in other parts of the world: storm asthma. This event, which occurs when intense storms disperse pollen grains into the atmosphere, causes a respiratory reaction in susceptible people, even those without a history of asthma. This type of asthma is different from common asthmatic episodes, since its appearance is directly linked to meteorological and atmospheric factors, such as storms, and not necessarily to prolonged exposure to allergens.
According to a report from 60 minutes AustraliaOn the day of the storm, thousands of people in Melbourne experienced severe asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, causing local hospitals to become overloaded. In just a few hours, they registered more than 8,500 emergency visits y More than 2,000 people needed caremany of them hospitalized in an emergency.
The storm that caused this crisis was not simply heavy rain. The Australian media ABC News reported that it was a complex event that combined several adverse meteorological factors. First, the storm generated intense winds that dispersed the pollen grains of local plants such as grasses and tree species in a much larger area than usual.
When the warm, moist air was replaced by cold air from the storm, it created a abrupt change in atmospheric pressure. This, combined with the humidity, caused the pollen grains to fragment into even smaller particles, which are much larger. harmful to the lungs when inhaled. Furthermore, the rain that accompanied the storm not only caused pollen to fall on the streets and buildings, but also released chemical compounds from plantsincreasing the intensity of the allergen.
According to the specialized site phys.orgthe fragmented pollen that reached the atmosphere during the storm contained micro particles which, when inhaled, caused inflammation of the respiratory tract. This phenomenon is known as a immediate allergic response which, in the case of storm asthma, was particularly serious due to the intensity of the weather event.
These microscopic particles are much smaller than traditional pollen grains, allowing them to reach deeper into the lungs, triggering severe asthma attacks, and in many cases, requiring urgent hospitalization.
The Melbourne storm was a shocking weather event that saw a public health crisis. Local hospitals and health centers were overwhelmed by the number of people needing urgent care. The overload of health systems It was a critical challenge for emergency services, which had to act quickly to treat thousands of people affected by asthma attacks.
According to official reports, the Melbourne hospitals recorded a 400% increase in cases of asthma and other respiratory diseases in the hours after the storm. As the number of people affected grew, health professionals began to warn of shortages of resources, such as medicines and breathing equipment. Furthermore, the high demand for care patients without asthmatic history It complicated diagnosis and treatment, since people affected by the storm did not necessarily respond to common asthma treatments.
To confront the crisis, local authorities launched a rapid emergency response. Alerts were issued to the public to stay indoors and avoid outdoor exposure during the peak of the storm. There was also coordination with health centers and pharmacies to ensure the supply of medications such as inhalers, which were essential for managing the cases.
One of the most disturbing aspects about the storm is its link to climate change. The increase in storm frequency and intensity was related to changes in weather patterns globalespecially in regions prone to storms and droughts. In the case of Melbourne, it is predicted that the incidence of these storm asthma events will increase due to the intensification of storms and the prolongation of pollen seasons, phenomena already documented in various parts of the world.
He climate change could expand the number of storm asthma events in Melbourne and other coastal cities with temperate climates. Predictions point to a increase in the length and severity of pollen seasonswhich means more days of risk for people with respiratory problems. Furthermore, the rising temperatures could increase pollen production in plants, which would increase the allergic load in the environment.
In response to the phenomenon, more extensive studies are being carried out on how predict and mitigate the effects of storms in public health. The use of advanced weather models is helping to anticipate these events more accurately. Additionally, public health policies are focused on improving access to preventive medications and creating early warning systems to reduce the impacts of future storm asthma events.
