Heatwave Eases and Heat-Related Illnesses Drop Sharply to Around 10 Cases a Day

Declining for Five Consecutive Days...
Daily Cases Drop to Around 10
No Additional Deaths Reported

As the intensity of the heatwave has eased, the number of heat-related illness cases has decreased for five consecutive days, falling to around 10 cases per day.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on July 14 that a total of 17 people (provisional figure) visited 516 emergency rooms nationwide for heat-related illnesses the previous day, and fortunately, there were no additional deaths.

As an unprecedented heatwave rages, daytime temperatures in Seoul have surpassed 35 degrees Celsius, with citizens walking while carrying parasols.

This is the first time in 17 days that the daily number of patients has fallen below 20 since June 26, when there were 6 cases.

On July 8, the number of patients reached 258, marking the highest daily figure since the heat-related illness surveillance system began in 2011. However, the number of patients has decreased for five consecutive days since then.

The cumulative number of heat-related illness cases this summer reached 1,566 as of the previous day, including 9 deaths. Since the start of surveillance on May 20 last year, the cumulative number of cases was 1,550. This is 2.8 times higher than the same period last year, when there were 544 cases including 3 deaths.

Heat-related illness is an acute condition caused by exposure to high temperatures. Prolonged exposure to hot environments can lead to symptoms such as headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, fatigue, and decreased consciousness. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are the most common types.

This summer, 59.4% of heat-related illness cases were due to heat exhaustion. Of the total cases this year, 77.1% were male, and seniors aged 65 and older accounted for 34.7%. Between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., 22% of all cases occurred. The majority of heat-related illnesses occurred outdoors, with 28.7% at worksites, 13.3% in fields, and 79.5% in outdoor settings overall.