Having spent the better part of a week sneezing, I decided to look at The Real Pollen Count to learn what had triggered this allergy attack. Myself, neighbours and the greater Joburg community have collectively been affected, so here is why:
South Africa (27 January 2025) – Allergy suffers have greatly benefitted from “The Real Pollen Count” website since its launch. We are here to remind you of the awesome website for the new year. Having experienced an allergy attack that lasted over a week, it was time to look to the scientists for help.
The Real Pollen Count is a South African website dedicated to sharing the weekly pollen count in our cities.
The pollen counting was the concept of the University of Cape Town Lung Institute Allergy and Immunology. Several universities and medical institutions around South Africa assist in doing these counts, helping get a more rounded idea of what is happening in biomes throughout South Africa.
Cities currently being monitored include Cape Town, Johannesburg (Central and South), Bloemfontein, Durban, Pretoria, Gqeberha, Kimberley, George and Potchefstroom. Common pollens being measured include grasses, trees, flowers, weeds and mould spores.
Several universities and medical facilities have joined the count, helping us understand more of what triggers allergies each week. These facilities include CSIR Pretoria, Kimberly Gariep Mediclinic, Nelson Mandela University, North-West University, University of Pretoria, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Free State, University of Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town.
Having a look at the count from last week, it now makes total sense why so many Joburgers have been suffering. You can read the full report here, where they break down exactly which species of trees, weeds and grasses have had the highest pollen counts.
Johannesburg
Grasses were moderate. Moderate trees included false olive (Buddleia), Australian pine ( Casuarina), white stinkwood (Celtis), cypress (Cupressaceae), elm (Ulmaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), olive (Oleaceae)and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were pigmyweeds (Amaranthaceae), lily (Liliaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
High grass and tree concentrations were seen at this sampling site, where the dominant tree was elm (Ulmaceae). Other trees included ash (Fraxinus) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), the dominant weed, plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Pretoria
4-year means are given. At this time of year, grass concentrations are high while trees and weeds are low. Trees typically include acacia (Acacia-type), palm (Arecaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds would be goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), knotweed (Persicaria) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds are usually low, with small spikes appearing for Cladosporium, the allergenic fungal spore/mould.
The website also offers a range of information for allergy sufferers and a list of South Africa’s most allergenic plants (the plants most likely spiking the pollen count).
With the summer just getting hotter and the rains coming and going, the natural world is getting itself pollinated and spread so it can continue to grow over the coming seasons. So, for allergy sufferers, we wish you all the best in navigating this season.
Finding out about this website has been a big change in how South Africans manage allergies. You can subscribe to get a weekly email detailing the pollen counts in your city or check the website here.
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