"Record-breaking heatwave" in Chungnam with 86 heat illness patients... "2 elderly deaths"

As the unprecedented heatwave continues day after day, the number of heat-related illness patients is steadily increasing. In particular, most heat-related illness patients are concentrated among the elderly, who are vulnerable to heatwaves, and in severe cases, it leads to death, so special caution is required to prevent exposure to heatwaves, especially for the elderly.

According to Chungnam Province on the 2nd, a total of 86 heat-related illness patients occurred in the region until the 31st of last month. The first heat-related illness patient in the region appeared on May 20 in Hongseong. Since then, the number of heat-related illness patients has rapidly increased with 9 in June and 76 in July amid the heatwave.

Children are resting in the shade to avoid the scorching sun during the heatwave. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

The day with the highest number of heat-related illness patients in one day was the 21st of last month, when 12 people in Chungnam received treatment for heat-related illnesses.

In terms of gender distribution of all heat-related illness patients, males were overwhelmingly more with 64 cases compared to 22 females. By age group, there were 19 people aged 70 and over, 19 in their 50s, 15 in their 60s, and 14 in their 20s. By region, the numbers were highest in Buyeo with 14, Seosan with 11, Dangjin and Yesan with 9 each, and Asan and Hongseong with 8 each.

The places where the illnesses occurred were mainly indoor and outdoor workplaces, rice fields, roadsides, mountains, and vinyl greenhouses. Additionally, 2 cases were confirmed to have contracted heat-related illnesses at home.

The main symptoms shown by heat-related illness patients were heat exhaustion (43 cases), heat stroke (25 cases), heat cramps (9 cases), heat syncope (5 cases), and others (4 cases).

In particular, it was confirmed that two people died from heat-related illnesses in the region: a man in his 70s working in a field in Buyeo on the 1st of last month, and a woman in her 90s working in a field in Seocheon on the 29th of the same month.

A man in his 60s who died in Seocheon on the 30th of last month was transferred to his residence in Jeonbuk and was not included in the local death statistics.

The increase in heat-related illness patients due to the unprecedented heatwave is not limited to Chungnam alone. As of the end of last month, the number of heat-related illness patients nationwide was 1,191, with 13 deaths reported.

Accordingly, Chungnam Province places great importance on the seriousness of the heatwave and the occurrence of heat-related illnesses, maintaining an emergency duty system jointly with cities and counties, and focusing on ▲health management of vulnerable groups ▲patrols in vulnerable areas ▲inspection and disinfection of cooling shelters ▲operation of cooling fog systems ▲promotion of public action guidelines.

Additionally, they carry out ▲operation of water spraying vehicles ▲field surveillance ▲operation of parasol rental stations ▲inspection of smart shade structures ▲village broadcasts and text message dispatches on heatwave action guidelines.

A Chungnam Province official advised, “On days when the outside temperature rises, it is necessary to frequently check heatwave warnings and refrain from outdoor work or exercise during the hottest hours. If going outside is unavoidable, it is recommended to block sunlight with a parasol or hat and drink water frequently.”

He added, “If heat-related illness is suspected due to high fever, rapid pulse and breathing, headache, fatigue, or muscle cramps, it is important to cool the body, hydrate, and request help from the 119 emergency medical service.”

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