Public reminded of dangers on World Asthma Day

Today is World Asthma Day, and sufferers are being urged to take better control of their illness.

More than 50 people a year die from asthma-related attacks in Ireland.

The inflammatory lung condition affects one in 10 Irish people.

Dr Jean Hoolahan from the Asthma Society of Ireland said that people need to be more aware of the illness.

"There's a very low level of awareness and indeed people are always shocked by the statistics when we say 400 people attend the Emergency Department every week because of an asthma attack," she said.

"Of course people are absolutely horrified by the tragic fact that one person dies from asthma every week."