WMO warns of risk of heart attacks, deaths as heatwave intensifies

[July 18, 2023]  GENEVA (Reuters) - The heatwave engulfing the northern hemisphere is set to intensify this week, causing overnight temperatures to surge and leading to an increased risk of heart attacks and deaths, the World Meteorological Organization said on Tuesday.  

A man shelters from the sun with a t-shirt near the Colosseum during a heatwave across Italy, in Rome, Italy July 11, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapne/File Photo

"Temperatures in North America, Asia, and across North Africa and the Mediterranean will be above 40°C for a prolonged number of days this week as the heatwave intensifies," the WMO said in a statement.

Overnight minimum temperatures were also set to reach new highs, according to the WMO, creating risks of increased cases of heart attacks and deaths.

"Whilst most of the attention focuses on daytime maximum temperatures, it is the overnight temperatures which have the biggest health risks, especially for vulnerable populations," the WMO said.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, a researcher specialised in the study of heatwaves said that the high temperatures Europe was experiencing currently were bound to increase.

"The Mediterranean heatwave is big but nothing like what's been through North Africa," said John Nairn, Senior Extreme Heat Advisor for WMO. "It's developing into Europe at this stage."

(Reporting by Emma Farge and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber, Editing by Friederike Heine and Rachel More)

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