More than a week after a rare condition known as thunderstorm asthma struck Australia's second-largest city, the death toll has risen to eight, with one other person on life support, officials have said. "Five patients are continuing to receive specialist ICU (intensive care unit) care in hospitals in Melbourne, with three still in a critical condition." Two victims died in hospital intensive care units on Monday night and Tuesday morning from medical complications stemming from a Nov. 21 thunderstorm that caused rain-sodden ryegrass pollen to explode and disperse over the city, with tiny particles penetrating deep into lungs. Around 8,500 people received hospital treatment in total, with a third of patients who suffered asthma attacks on Monday night reporting never having had asthma before. One week later, 12 people are still receiving hospital treatment, including three who are in a critical condition, according to the Victoria Department of Health and Human Services. "This will vary by geography," said Aziz Sheikh, Professor of Primary Care Research and Development at the University of Edinburgh, adding that pollen from olive trees, for example, was reported in a previous thunderstorm asthma event in Italy in 2010.
The death toll from an outbreak of thunderstorm asthma on 21 November in the Australian city of Melbourne reaches 6. Three others are in a critical condition.