Heat-related Illness Surveillance Begins on the 15th to Counter Heat Waves... Over 4,460 Cases Reported Last Year

KDCA Launches Emergency Room Surveillance System

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on May 14 that it will operate the "2026 Emergency Room Surveillance System for Heat-related Illnesses" from May 15 to September 30 in order to minimize health damage caused by summer heat waves.

Heat-related illnesses refer to acute conditions caused by heat, such as heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope, and heat edema. Prolonged exposure to hot environments can lead to symptoms like headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, fatigue, and decreased consciousness, and if left untreated, these conditions can become life-threatening.

The Emergency Room Surveillance System for Heat-related Illnesses tracks the status of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses due to heat waves among those who visit emergency rooms. The system involves over 500 medical institutions nationwide, local health centers, and city and provincial governments, and provides daily updates on occurrences via the KDCA website.

The number of patients with heat-related illnesses identified through last year's Emergency Room Surveillance System reached 4,460, the second highest since the system began operating in 2011. Of these, 29 cases were presumed to be deaths caused by heat-related illnesses.

Reported cases of heat-related illnesses were predominantly male, accounting for 79.7% of the total. By age group, those in their 50s made up the largest share at 19.4%, while seniors aged 65 and older accounted for 30% of all patients. By type of illness, heat exhaustion was the most common with 2,767 cases (62.0%). By region, the figures were 978 in Gyeonggi, 436 in North Gyeongsang, 382 in South Gyeongsang, and 381 in South Jeolla, in descending order.

The period when heat-related illnesses surged was July to August, with 85% (3,792 cases) occurring during this time. Most cases occurred outdoors (79.2%), specifically at outdoor worksites (32.1%), in fields (12.2%), and along roadsides (11.7%). By occupation, simple laborers (26.0%), the unemployed (13.2%), and workers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (7.8%) were most affected. In terms of time of occurrence, 30.4% were concentrated in the afternoon hours between 2 PM and 5 PM.

Of the reported suspected deaths due to heat-related illnesses, 23 were male and 6 were female, with seniors aged 65 and older comprising 58.6% of cases. The main cause of death was heatstroke (93.1%), and most deaths occurred outdoors (79.3%).

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, there is a 50% probability that the average temperature in May and June this year will be higher than usual, and a 60% probability for July, indicating that the heat wave is expected to continue. The KDCA urges the public to check the temperature before going out, avoid outdoor activities during heat waves, use sun protection such as umbrellas or hats, and follow health guidelines such as taking sufficient rest and staying hydrated to safely and healthily get through the summer.

Im Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, emphasized, "Heat waves can cause severe health damage even over a short period, so it is essential to strictly observe preventive measures for heat-related illnesses, such as staying hydrated and refraining from outdoor activities during the daytime." He added, "Children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, dementia, and mental illnesses) are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, so special attention from caregivers and those around them is necessary."

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