NSW Health has urged people in bushfire-affected areas to take precautions following a sharp rise in hospital presentations for asthma and breathing problems in recent weeks.
The Director of Environmental Health at NSW Health, Richard Broome said preliminary analysis of Emergency Department (ED) data showed that hospitals in the Mid-North Coast had 68 presentations for asthma or breathing problems over the past week, almost double the usual number.
Dr Broome said there were also signs that ED presentations for asthma and breathing problems were high in the Hunter and Central Coast Local Health Districts.
“Smoke from the bushfires that have ravaged so much of NSW has led to a rise in people seeking help at public hospitals,” Dr Broome said.
“Air quality has been very poor, so this increase isn’t unexpected,” he said.
“The good news is that while the ED presentations have increased, the number of people requiring admission to hospital has remained about the same.”
Dr Broome said the increase in presentations was across all ages and served to reinforce the message that people with asthma and other respiratory problems should take care on smoky days.
“It shows that smoke from active and smoldering fires can have a real impact on people’s health.”
“People with breathing conditions should avoid outdoor physical activity when there’s smoke around,” Dr Broome said.
“People with asthma should also follow their Asthma Action Plan and carry their relieving medication.”
“The best way to reduce exposure to smoke is to stay indoors with the doors and windows shut,” he said.
Dr Broome said despite the increase in ED presentations, NSW hospitals were well prepared to deal with emergency situations such as the bushfires.
