Ninth person dies from Melbourne’s thunderstorm asthma outbreak

A ninth person has died as a result of Melbourne’s unprecedented thunderstorm asthma event in November last year.

The patient died in hospital this week as a result of the storm on November 21 that sent thousands of people to hospitals seeking treatment for asthma, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.

No further patients remain in hospital, and no more details of the patient were released at the family's request.

The storm event saw a high pollen count and thunderstorm conditions combine to produce tiny particles in the air that penetrated deep into people's airways, causing attacks for asthma sufferers.

The Inspector-General for Emergency Management on November 29 launched an investigation into the cause of the deaths.

His findings will form part of an overarching review that will examine how Ambulance Victoria and emergency services responded and how the community was notified of the unfolding crisis.

With AAP