Five people have died and six others are in intensive care after Melbourne’s thunderstorm asthma event on Monday. “We are now aware five deaths may have occurred as a result of conditions relating to the events,” Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Travers Purton said in a statement on Saturday. Monday evening’s thunderstorm saw extreme winds and air moisture break pollen particles up into small enough pieces to enter peoples lungs. The latest victim, believed to be a woman, died at Northern hospital in Epping on Friday night. Thunderstorm asthma: how seasonal weather can affect human health Read moreA hospital spokesman said the asthma thunderstorm led to other medical complications for that patient.

Source: The Guardian November 26, 2016 21:58 UTC