Intense surge of emergency calls daily during France's August heatwave, reaching almost 300

In the heart of summer, France faced an intense heatwave towards the middle of August. The peak of this heatwave, around August 15, saw heat-related emergency room visits regularly exceed 250 per day in the affected departments.

While the number of cases during the August heatwave remained below the over 600 cases recorded on July 1, the peak of the first heatwave this summer, it was still a significant event. The August heatwave was not comparable to the 2003 heatwave, except in the Southwest, according to Public Health France.

The health effects of the heatwave were far-reaching. The iCanicule indicator, a tool used by Public Health France, compiled emergency care for heat-related conditions such as dehydration and hyperthermia in departments under orange or red alerts. During the August heatwave, there were a maximum of 286 emergency room visits and 67 SOS doctor consultations.

The August heatwave affected all age groups, but people aged 15-44 were particularly affected by hyperthermia, representing between 40 to 60% of the activity for this cause. On the other hand, people aged 75 and over accounted for approximately 60% of hospitalizations following an iCanicule visit.

However, Public Health France has not yet been able to predict heatwave-related mortality for the August heatwave. Estimating the actual number of deaths attributable to the heatwave requires additional time beyond the initial calculation of excess deaths, which typically takes a month.

The areas most severely affected by the heat in August in France were the south and east parts of the country. The Département Aude near Narbonne in the south, for instance, experienced extensive wildfires and the highest wildfire alarm level, resulting in over 10,000 hectares burned, evacuation of villages, and fatalities.

Despite the intense heat, the number of cases during the August heatwave was not comparable to the over 600 cases recorded on July 1. The iCanicule indicator continues to be a valuable tool for understanding the health effects of heatwaves in France.

Public Health France has not specified the number of emergency room visits or SOS doctor consultations for the elderly during the August heatwave, but it is clear that the heatwave had a significant impact on the health of the population. As always, it is essential to stay hydrated, seek shade, and check on vulnerable neighbours during extreme heat events.

Intense surge of emergency calls daily during France's August heatwave, reaching almost 300