Heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke and heat exhaustion, are acute conditions caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, fatigue, and altered mental status can emerge, potentially becoming life-threatening if ignored.
Since 2011, the KDCA has monitored heat-related cases through its Emergency Room Surveillance System, gathering data from roughly 500 emergency medical facilities across the country. This year, an early heatwave beginning in late June has driven a rapid rise in cases, with 3,815 patients reported as of August 21. This figure reflects a 26% increase over the 3,004 cases recorded in the same period last year, making it the second-highest total since 2018, when 4,393 cases were documented.
Temperatures Above 33.3°C Trigger Sharp Rise in Cases
These findings highlight a dramatic spike in cases once temperatures cross the 33.3°C threshold, underscoring how sensitive public health is to extreme heat.
“Water, Shade, Rest”: KDCA’s Essential Advice
The KDCA urges the public to follow three critical steps to prevent heat-related illnesses: drink water, seek shade, and take breaks. Those experiencing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or dehydration should promptly move to a cooler area, hydrate, and rest. If symptoms do not improve, the agency advises calling 119 for immediate medical attention.
KDCA Commissioner Lim Seung-kwan emphasized that prolonged high temperatures since late June have fueled a swift increase in cases. “We are strengthening our proactive response based on weather data,” Lim said. He stressed the need to make heatwave precautions a daily habit, with daytime highs forecast to hover between 30°C and 34°C through the end of August.
As South Korea contends with increasingly severe heatwaves, the KDCA’s call for public awareness and adherence to safety measures underscores the urgent need to address the growing health risks posed by extreme temperatures.
Lim Hye Jung, HEALTH IN NEWS TEAM
press@hinews.co.kr
