“Such adverse conditions could be prevented provided the susceptible hosts for these allergens stay indoors during inclement weather,” said a health official. “The houses should be airtight so that dust cannot enter inside, and people should ensure blankets and mattresses are free of dust.”

Health officials as well as the members of the public have been advised to act accordingly in the event of sandstorm activity.

Mahdi Althaf, private medical practitioner at a leading hospital in Riyadh, told Arab News that a large number of patients came to him following the sandstorm in Riyadh on Wednesday.

“We witness the influx of such patients not only during sandstorms but also immediately after a rainfall following a long  drought,” said the doctor. It is advisable for asthma sufferers to meet their doctors and get early treatment following an attack caused by the weather to avoid unwanted complications, he concluded.