Sharp Rise in Heat-Related Illnesses Amid Sweltering Heat... 7 Deaths Nationwide Already

59 People Visited Emergency Rooms for Heat-Related Illnesses in a Single Day

Children are playing in the ground fountain in front of the statue of General Yi Sunshin at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

As the heatwave continues across the country, there has been a sharp increase in the number of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on July 7, a total of 59 people visited emergency rooms for heat-related illnesses on the previous day, and 2 of them died. The deaths occurred in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province and Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, with both cases suspected to be caused by heatstroke.

Since May 15, the KDCA has been operating a heat-related illness surveillance system at the emergency rooms of 517 emergency medical institutions nationwide. So far, there have been 875 reported cases of heat-related illnesses, with 7 deaths. Compared to the same period last year (May 20 to July 6), the number of patients increased by 83.2%, from 469 to 859.

Heat-related illnesses are acute conditions that occur after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The main symptoms include headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, and fatigue. Without timely intervention, these conditions can lead to decreased consciousness and even become life-threatening.

The most common heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion and heatstroke. This year, 54.6% of patients were diagnosed with heat exhaustion, while 20.1% suffered from heatstroke. Heat cramps accounted for 13.7%, and heat syncope for 9.8%. Older adults are particularly vulnerable, with those aged 65 and over making up 33.3% of all patients. The most common locations where these illnesses occurred were outdoor worksites (25.6%), followed by fields (16.6%) and roadsides (14.1%).

The KDCA emphasized that to prevent heat-related illnesses, it is important to refrain from going outdoors or engaging in outdoor activities during midday hours and to drink water frequently to maintain hydration, even if you do not feel thirsty.