"Even if you're not thirsty, you must keep drinking water"… Heat-related illnesses that caused 22 deaths, symptoms include

The weather is very hot.

Heatwave and COVID-19... I keep receiving safety messages.

There are many incidents and accidents, so make sure to drink plenty of water.

Be careful when going out during very hot weather~

 

 

 

 

As the heatwave continues for an extended period, the number of heat-related illnesses across the country has steadily increased, surpassing 2,600 cases. The death toll has reached 22.

As of the 16th, according to the Heat-Related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of heat-related illness cases was 2,652. This is an increase of 206 cases compared to the same period last year, which had 2,346 cases.

There have been 22 deaths due to heat-related illnesses.

Heat-related illness cases by gender showed that 77.8% (2,063 people) were male and 22.2% (589 people) were female. By age group, 31.7% (841 people) were elderly aged 65 and above. The distribution for other age groups was 50s at 18.7% (496 people), 60s at 18.6% (494 people), 40s at 14.2% (376 people), 30s at 12.4% (328 people), 70s at 12.4% (329 people), over 80 at 10.4% (277 people), and 20s at 10.1% (269 people).

Looking at by occupation, simple labor workers accounted for the largest group at 23.0% (609 people), followed by unknown (17.7%·470 people), unemployed excluding homeless individuals (13.7%·364 people), and skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers (8.6%·229 people). By disease, heat exhaustion was the most common at 55.3% (1,466 people), followed by heat stroke at 21.0% (556 people), heat cramps at 14.0% (372 people), and heat syncope at 8.3% (221 people).

The occurrence times were evenly distributed from morning to afternoon. The highest was between 2 and 3 PM (10.7%), followed by 3 to 4 PM (10.6%) and 6 to 10 AM (10.4%). The locations of occurrence were 78.8% outdoors and 21.2% indoors. The outdoor work sites accounted for the largest proportion at 31.3% (831 people), followed by fields at 15.0% (399 people), and roadside at 9.3% (246 people).

Heat-related illnesses are acute conditions caused by heat exposure, presenting symptoms such as headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, fatigue, and altered consciousness when exposed to the environment for extended periods. If left untreated, they can be life-threatening, with heat stroke and heat exhaustion being the most common examples.

Heatstroke occurs when body temperature rises above 40°C, accompanied by dry, hot skin and the absence of sweating.

Heat exhaustion is characterized by pale skin, weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and nausea, and the body temperature does not rise above 40°C.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that when heatwave advisories and heatwave warnings are issued, people should reduce outdoor activities during hot hours and, if unavoidable, wear wide-brimmed hats and light, loose clothing.

Even if you do not feel thirsty, you should drink water regularly and shower frequently. During the hottest times of the day, avoid outdoor work and exercise, and stay in a cool place to escape the heat.

Alcohol consumption raises body temperature, and excessive intake of coffee or carbonated drinks containing large amounts of caffeine can cause dehydration due to their diuretic effect, so overdrinking (overuse) should be avoided.

 

<Source: News 24>