"178 People Over Three Days" Heat-Related Illnesses Surge Amid Continuous Heatwave

As the rainy season ends and a heatwave continues nationwide, the occurrence of heat-related illnesses has surged, requiring special caution.

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According to the Disease Control and Prevention Agency's heat-related illness emergency room surveillance system on the 30th, 178 cases of heat-related illnesses were recorded over three days from the 26th to the 28th. On the 24th and 25th, there were 7 and 14 cases respectively, but the number sharply increased to 46 on the 26th when the rainy season officially ended, then rose to 62 on the 27th and 70 on the 28th.

Since the surveillance system began operating on May 20th until the 28th, the cumulative number of heat-related illness cases reached 938, with an estimated 3 deaths. If estimated heat-related deaths occur over the weekend and are reflected in the statistics, the official count is expected to increase further.

According to the Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the age group most affected by heat-related illnesses is seniors aged 65 and older, accounting for 26.7%, followed by those in their 50s at 20.9%. By gender, males account for 79.6% and females 20.4%. About 81.0% of heat-related illnesses occur outdoors, with outdoor workplaces (32.4%), rice paddies and fields (12.7%), and roadsides (11.9%) being the most common locations. The majority of cases (52.0%) occur during daytime hours from 12 PM to 5 PM, and a significant portion (18.2%) also occurs between 10 AM and 12 PM.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, a heatwave warning was issued nationwide starting at 10 AM on this day, and the heatwave is expected to continue for some time. Most regions, including Seoul, Gangneung, Cheongju, and Daegu, are forecasted to experience daytime high temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius, with most areas enduring heat above 33 degrees Celsius, and the highest apparent temperatures expected to be around 35 degrees Celsius.

During heatwaves, it is important to frequently drink water, avoid going out or engaging in activities, and follow health guidelines to stay cool. When engaging in outdoor activities, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and light, loose-fitting clothing is helpful. If early symptoms of heat-related illness such as dizziness, headache, or nausea appear, immediately stop activities and move to a cool place to rest.

Alcohol raises body temperature, and coffee or carbonated drinks containing large amounts of caffeine cause dehydration due to their diuretic effect, so consumption of alcohol and caffeine should be avoided. People with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension or hypotension, diabetes, and kidney disease may experience worsened symptoms due to heat exposure, so they should be especially careful not to be exposed to heat for long periods and reduce activity intensity compared to usual. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women require even greater caution.

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