WHO has issued a warning about deadly heat: temperatures will reach 43°C
8 July 04:32
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a new wave of extreme heat that will sweep across much of Europe in the coming days. In some regions, temperatures could reach 43°C, and medical experts warn that even deadlier weeks may lie ahead. This was reported by the Daily Star, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
WHO Warns of a New Wave of Extreme Heat
According to the WHO, a new heat wave is already forming over the Atlantic Ocean. The highest temperatures are expected in Portugal and southern Spain, where thermometers could rise to 43°C as early as this week.
At the same time, a new heatwave is forecast for France, the Benelux countries, and certain regions of Central Asia.
Hans-Henri Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, emphasized that the situation could worsen.
“There could be even more deadly weeks ahead,” he warned.
Not all countries are prepared for extreme heat
The WHO notes that a significant number of European countries still lack effective national plans to protect their populations from extreme heat.
According to Hans-Henri Kluge, one of the biggest problems remains the inadequate preparedness of health care systems:
“The most alarming gap is that as many as half of the member states in the European Region do not have a national action plan to combat heat and protect public health.”
Experts also emphasize that many people underestimate the risks even after the highest level of weather danger has been declared.
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Who Is Most at Risk
According to WHO estimates, heat poses the greatest risk to:
- older adults;
- people with chronic illnesses;
- children;
- the homeless;
- people living alone;
- residents of nursing homes.
The organization is also calling on local authorities to increase the number of special cooling centers and to better inform the public about their locations.
Europe is warming faster than other continents
The WHO emphasizes that Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world.
Back in June, the organization reported that over the past four years, more than 200,000 people have died in Europe due to heat waves, and most of these deaths could have been prevented with timely measures to protect the population.
How to protect yourself from the heat
The WHO recommends the following during extreme heat:
- drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty;
- avoid being in the sun during the hottest hours of the day;
- stay in cool places whenever possible;
- keep windows and curtains closed during the day and ventilate your home at night;
- check in more often on the well-being of elderly relatives and neighbors.
Experts emphasize that timely preparation and following these simple recommendations can significantly reduce the risk of heatstroke and other dangerous consequences of extreme heat.
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