Three ‘thunderstorm asthma’ patients still in critical condition

Patrick Wright
Nov 24, 2016, updated Nov 24, 2016

The storm put unprecedented pressure on Victoria's ambulance services. Photo: AAP

Three people remain in a critical condition after Melbourne’s “thunderstorm asthma” emergency, with a number more in intensive care units, Victoria’s health department says.

Thousands of people were affected by the condition on Monday, after heavy rain caused rye grass pollen to absorb moisture and burst, dispersing smaller particles that became trapped in people’s lungs.

At least four people died, hospitals were swamped with emergency patients, and firefighters and police were called on to help paramedics respond to thousands of calls for assistance.

A Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) spokesman said doctors were monitoring the condition of several patients still in hospital.

“There continues to be patients in metropolitan Melbourne intensive care units associated with this event, with three in a critical condition,” a statement said.

The spokesman said the DHHS was aware “of a number of deaths that may be associated with thunderstorm asthma”, which were being investigated.

“Due to the complex nature and scale of the event further comment is not appropriate until a cause of death has been attributed for these cases,” he said.

Clarence Leo (left) has been named as the fourth victim of Tuesday’s asthma event. Photo: Facebook/Theycallmekaleve.

“It is expected this will be closely examined as part of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management’s state-wide review.”

The four confirmed victims are Omar Moujalled, 18, Hope Carnevali, 20, Apollo Papadopoulos, 35, and Clarence Leo.

Mr Moujalled, a student at the Australian International Academy at Coburg North, was only days away from finishing high school.

‘Like 150 bombs going off across Melbourne’

Victoria’s Health Minister Jill Hennessy, speaking on Thursday morning, said seven people were still in intensive care, but a number were expected to be released into general wards.

She said many of those affected had cardiac conditions.

“Of the 8,500 people that were presenting to emergency departments on Monday and Tuesday, those with cardiac and chest pain featured very, very prominently,” she said.

Ambulance Victoria has said the incident caused an “extraordinary and unpredictable increase in demand” for its services, with 200 triple-0 calls coming in during the 15 minutes from 7:00pm, where they would normally expect 30 calls.

Ms Hennessey, who has ordered a review into the emergency, said Monday night’s events were unprecedented.

“When we’ve had people calling for ambulances — one call every four-and-a-half seconds at the peak — it was like having 150 bombs going off right across a particular part of metropolitan Melbourne,” she said.

“That’s something we’ve never planned for and we need to do that better.”

– ABC