Heat-Related Illnesses and Drowning Deaths Surge... "Heatwaves Threaten Health in Multiple Ways"

With the heatwave coinciding with the vacation season, heat-related illnesses and water-related accidents are occurring one after another.

Hot Earth Due to Heatwave
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on the 31st, a total of 1,015 cases of heat-related illnesses have been reported this year as of the 29th. One in four heat-related illness cases (255 people) occurred during the four days from the 26th to the 29th, when the heatwave continued nationwide. On the 29th alone, seven people died from heat-related illnesses. So far this year, there have been 10 deaths from heat-related illnesses, exceeding the seven deaths during the same period last year. Additional deaths related to heat illnesses occurred on the 30th, and the number of deaths recorded in the KDCA’s heat illness emergency room surveillance system is expected to rise.

A KDCA official stated, "Last year, the first heat-related illness case occurred on July 1, but this year, with more frequent heatwaves, the first case was reported on May 21," adding, "Since this summer’s temperatures are forecasted to be higher than average, special caution regarding heat-related illnesses is necessary." Heat-related illnesses, which include heatstroke and heat exhaustion, manifest symptoms such as high fever, headache, and difficulty breathing when exposed to hot environments for extended periods, and if left untreated, can lead to death.

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. This year, the largest proportion of heat-related illness cases was among seniors aged 65 and older, accounting for 27.3% (277 people), followed by those in their 50s at 20.7% (210 people). Last year, the incidence rate per 100,000 population was highest among those aged 80 and above at 6.4 cases, followed by those in their 70s (4.3), 50s (4.0), and 60s (3.8).

To prevent heat-related illnesses, outdoor activities should be avoided during the hottest times of the day. Last year, 51.4% of heat-related illness cases occurred between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. It is also important to drink water frequently to avoid feeling thirsty. If you see someone collapsed in a field, outdoor workplace, or similar setting, immediately call 119 and move the person to a cool place. Forcing water into an unconscious person’s mouth can be dangerous as it may block their airway.

Water-related accidents are also continuing. From the 28th to the 29th, five people drowned nationwide, including two in their 20s, two in their 40s, and one in their 50s. On the 27th, three out of four people in their 20s who were playing in a valley in Daegu died. According to the KDCA, from 2016 to 2020, 811 people visited emergency rooms due to drowning incidents (cases where the person survived even temporarily after submersion), of whom 148 (18.2%) died. Of these drowning incidents, 35.5% occurred during the vacation months of July and August. By age group, children aged 9 and under accounted for the largest number at 234 (28.9%), followed by those aged 70 and above at 18.7% (152 people).

Experts warn that frequent heatwaves due to climate change will cause various diseases. Professor Kwon Hojang of Dankook University College of Medicine said at a forum hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 4th, "In 2018, the hottest year recently in Korea, 50 deaths from heatstroke were recorded, but the actual number of deaths is estimated to be 200," adding, "The scale of health damage caused by climate change is likely much larger than statistics indicate." Professor Bae Sanghyuk of Catholic University College of Medicine said, "As it gets hotter, air quality worsens due to various factors, increasing the number of patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and cerebral infarction," but also noted, "Awareness that cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease patients will increase due to the climate crisis remains low."

Chaesumi, director of the Future Disease Response Research Center at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, said, "Research shows that extreme climates such as heatwaves increase trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lethargy, anxiety, and violent tendencies," adding, "Recently, the term ‘climate anxiety’ has emerged to describe negative emotions experienced due to the climate crisis." According to a survey by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs on ‘health problems that may be affected by climate change,’ the results were ▲heat-related illnesses 65.6%, ▲infectious diseases 63.7%, ▲asthma, respiratory diseases, allergies 55.7%, ▲cold-related illnesses 38.0%, and ▲skin and eye diseases 37.7%.

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