The pollen count in Cape Town is currently at a “potentially very dangerous level”, with the University of Cape Town’s Lung Institute Allergy and Immunology Clinic warning asthmatics and allergy suffers to be on the alert.
The clinic’s Dilys Berman said that the high count this year was slightly unusual compared with previous years, reports News24.
“We watch the West Coast flower season, and if they have a bumper crop like this year, then we know we can expect severe pollen season," she said.
Berman added the recent rains have added to a high fungal spore count.
The latest report from the clinic showed that increased sunshine had caused an increase in grass and pollen levels. Among the pollen showing up in samples were cypress, oak, gum, willow, mulberry, pine and yellowwood trees.
The samples also contained pollen from proteas and daisies.
The clinic said there was a daily variation in the pollen count in any area, which could be affected by short-term changes in weather.
Hot, still days with little cloud cover are when the pollen count will be highest, often triggering allergies.
While rain tends to reduce the amount of pollen in the air, pollen counts may surge after a period of rain during flowering seasons.
In addition, Berman said that strong winds could distribute pollen widely – which could reduce a high pollen count or make it more widespread.
Conditions are expected to probably improve from next month.
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