The COVID-19 pandemic: a positive for Victorian allergy sufferers?

For many Australians the COVID-19 pandemic brought about negative changes, however the pandemic and associated lockdowns most likely decreased rates of anaphylaxis in Victoria.

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy defines anaphylaxis as “a potentially life threatening, severe allergic reaction”.

A 2019 parliamentary inquiry into allergies and anaphylaxis found “Australian medical professionals agree that allergies and rates of anaphylaxis are increasing.”

However, examination of anaphylaxis rates in Victorian local government areas (LGAs) between 2019-2021 shows a different story.

At first glance it appears the rates of anaphylaxis across Victoria are relatively consistent between 2019-2020, before reducing in 2021.

Yet, close analysis of these rates shows that 63 per cent of LGAs experienced a decrease in anaphylaxis rates from 2019 to 2020.

Then almost the opposite occurs between 2020 to 2021, with 60 per cent of LGAs reporting increased anaphylaxis rates.

To zoom in, below charts the anaphylaxis rates of five LGAs who had some of the highest rates in 2019.

It is important to note these anaphylaxis rates are calculated from the number of events reported to the Department of Health and are not limited to hospitalisation numbers.

There is little certainty around what exactly caused this sharp decline from 2019 to 2020.

However, data gathered on demographics may reveal why anaphylaxis rates in 2020 diverted from the expected trajectory.

2021 data from Victoria’s Department of Health found more than 40 per cent of anaphylactic events occur in children and teenagers.

Maria Said, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia CEO and National Allergy Strategy Co-chair, said this demographic can have a wide range of allergies which “cannot be removed from school or childcare environments”, making anaphylaxis more likely.

Victorian students missed about 105 days of face-to-face schooling in 2020, likely reducing student allergen exposure and the number of anaphylactic reactions.

Another reason which may explain the 2020 rate is lockdown restrictions limiting food consumption at cafes and restaurants.

A 2015 Clinical & Experimental Allergy report stated fatalities from food related anaphylaxis occurred more frequently from food sourced outside the home.

Annual household consumption expenditure shares at cafes and restaurants dropped 1.4 per cent between 2019 to 2020, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This decreased spending at food hospitality venues could be linked to the declined anaphylaxis rate as less food was purchased and consumed from these uncontrolled environments.

Despite the exact reasons for the decline remaining inconclusive, it raises the question of whether the increasing trend will completely return, or if the pandemic will have longstanding effects on Victorian anaphylaxis rates.

(Featured Image: Andrew Henshaw)