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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| 'Thunderstorm asthma' deaths in Melbourne rise to six | 'Thunderstorm asthma' deaths in Melbourne rise to six |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The number of people dying in the Australian city of Melbourne from a rare phenomenon called thunderstorm asthma has risen to six. | The number of people dying in the Australian city of Melbourne from a rare phenomenon called thunderstorm asthma has risen to six. |
| Three others are in a critical condition. | Three others are in a critical condition. |
| Heavy rains and winds on Monday triggered thousands of pollen allergy asthma attacks in the state of Victoria. | Heavy rains and winds on Monday triggered thousands of pollen allergy asthma attacks in the state of Victoria. |
| Paramedics and hospitals were stretched to their limits as thousands phoned to report breathing problems. | Paramedics and hospitals were stretched to their limits as thousands phoned to report breathing problems. |
| Thunderstorm asthma occurs in the spring when rye grass pollen gets wet, breaks into smaller pieces and enters people's lungs, causing them breathing problems. | Thunderstorm asthma occurs in the spring when rye grass pollen gets wet, breaks into smaller pieces and enters people's lungs, causing them breathing problems. |
| More than 8,000 people were treated in hospital. | More than 8,000 people were treated in hospital. |
| About one in 10 people has asthma in Australia, with about 80% of those sufferers experiencing allergies, particularly to rye pollen. | About one in 10 people has asthma in Australia, with about 80% of those sufferers experiencing allergies, particularly to rye pollen. |
| Melbourne's current spring season has been particularly wet, creating havoc for asthma and hay fever sufferers. | Melbourne's current spring season has been particularly wet, creating havoc for asthma and hay fever sufferers. |
| Are you in Melbourne? Have you been affected by thunderstorm asthma? Email us with your experiences haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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