Disease Control Headquarters to Operate 'Heat-Related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System' from the 20th Due to Early Heatwave

Seoul view captured with a thermal imaging camera during a heatwave advisory [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 19th that it will operate the 'Heat-related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System' from the 20th to September 30th to minimize health damage caused by summer heatwaves.

The Heat-related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System is operated in cooperation with over 500 emergency room medical institutions nationwide, local public health centers, provincial governments, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to identify patients with heat-related illnesses visiting emergency rooms and monitor the health impacts of heatwaves.

Heat-related illnesses mainly occur when exposed to hot outdoor environments for extended periods, causing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and muscle cramps. Representative conditions include heatstroke, which occurs due to excessive exposure to high temperatures, and heat exhaustion, where body temperature rises to 37?40 degrees Celsius due to heat exposure. Outdoor workers and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Last year, a total of 1,564 heat-related illness patients were identified through the Heat-related Illness Emergency Room Surveillance System, showing a 13.7% increase compared to the previous year (1,564 patients). Males (80.3%) were four times more than females (19.7%). The highest incidence was among people in their 50s (22.0%), and seniors aged 65 and older accounted for 27% of all patients. The reported estimated deaths from heat-related illnesses totaled 9 (5 males and 4 females), with 7 of them aged 60 or older.

The occurrence location was outdoors for 1,285 cases (82.2%), which was 4.6 times higher than indoors (279 cases, 17.8%). 51.4% of cases occurred during the daytime between 12 PM and 5 PM. The occupations most affected were simple labor workers with 395 cases (25.3%), unemployed individuals with 175 cases (11.2%), and skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers with 153 cases (9.8%).

Ji Young-mi, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "This summer's average temperature is expected to be higher than the normal years (1992?2022), and the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts many hot days in July and August. Therefore, preparation for heat-related illnesses caused by sudden heat is necessary."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.