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Thunderstorm asthma: Sixth person dies following outbreak.

The thunderstorm asthma emergency last week has claimed the life of a sixth person.

Eastern Health confirmed another person died following the outbreak on Monday but no other details have been released.

“There have now been six deaths that may have occurred as a result of conditions relating to the thunderstorm asthma events on Monday,” a health department spokesman said in a statement.

Five patients remain in intensive care in Melbourne hospitals, three are in a critical condition.

More than 8,500 people have received hospital treatment since the weather-related emergency.

Thunderstorm asthma is sparked by large storms, like a cool change in spring, that can cause significant breathing problems to people who do not have the condition.

On Monday last week, heavy rain caused rye grass pollen to absorb moisture and burst, dispersing smaller particles that became trapped in people’s lungs.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.


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