Summary

Respiratory illnesses commonly occur in clusters or epidemics and may be attributed to a diverse range of exposures. These exposures include communicable diseases such as influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Legionella pneumophila, rhinovirus and other infectious pathogens. They also include non-communicable conditions caused by exposure to agents such as sulphur dioxide and other oxidants, smoke and other particulates, volatile organic hydrocarbons, soybean dust, Alternaria and other moulds, pollens and other allergens. Agents released in a bioterrorism episode could also potentially cause outbreaks of respiratory illness. It is important to recognise, though, that in many cases the cause of outbreaks of respiratory illness is unknown, at least initially.

The tragic events in Victoria on 21 November 2016, when 10 people died and several thousand were hospitalised due to ‘thunderstorm asthma’ focused attention on respiratory epidemics, including those related to asthma. This event highlighted the largely unpredictable nature of epidemics and the need for better monitoring and surveillance not only to be prepared for them, but also to identify them and to respond rapidly and appropriately when they occur.Respiratory illnesses commonly occur in clusters or epidemics and may be attributed to a diverse range of exposures. These exposures include communicable diseases such as influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Legionella pneumophila, rhinovirus and other infectious pathogens. They also include non-communicable conditions caused by exposure to agents such as sulphur dioxide and other oxidants, smoke and other particulates, volatile organic hydrocarbons, soybean dust, Alternaria and other moulds, pollens and other allergens. Agents released in a bioterrorism episode could also potentially cause outbreaks of respiratory illness. It is important to recognise, though, that in many cases the cause of outbreaks of respiratory illness is unknown, at least initially.

The tragic events in Victoria on 21 November 2016, when 10 people died and several thousand were hospitalised due to ‘thunderstorm asthma’ focused attention on respiratory epidemics, including those related to asthma. This event highlighted the largely unpredictable nature of epidemics and the need for better monitoring and surveillance not only to be prepared for them, but also to identify them and to respond rapidly and appropriately when they occur.