With the heat wave intensifying, the number of heat-related illness cases is nearing 1,000. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 19th, from May 15 to the 17th of this month, 984 people nationwide were counted as having heat-related illnesses. The presumed number of deaths from heat-related illness is three. Although that is fewer than the same period last year (1,601), there is a risk that older adults and other vulnerable people who have not yet adapted to the heat may collapse as temperatures surge rapidly after the monsoon.
This year, the age group with the most heat-related illness cases is 65 and older (about 31%). Locations are outdoor worksites (24%), rice paddies and fields (17%), roadsides (14%), and sports fields (8%). Many older adults, who are vulnerable to heat due to reduced thermoregulation, develop heat-related illnesses while working outdoors. By region, Gyeonggi (24%), Seoul (12%), and North Gyeongsang (10%) are in that order.
Heat-related illness is an acute condition in which prolonged exposure to a hot environment causes dizziness, vomiting, muscle cramps, and fatigue. As the body releases sweat to dissipate heat, loss of fluids and salts can lead to heat-related illness. Usually, resting in a cool place leads to recovery, but in heatstroke, body temperature can rise above 40 C, leading to loss of consciousness and death. If heatstroke is suspected, call 119 and transport the person to a medical facility quickly.
To prevent heat-related illness, it is best to refrain from going out at midday. If engaging in outdoor activities, use a parasol and wear a wide-brimmed hat, and dress in loose, light-colored, lightweight clothing. Drinking water every hour or lowering body temperature with a towel soaked in water also helps.
From this day through the 21st, rain is expected in many parts of the country across the Korean Peninsula. In Daegu and North Gyeongsang, the expected rainfall for the day is up to 100 mm. Daytime highs are forecast to range from 25 C to 33 C on this day, 27 C to 33 C on the 20th, and 28 C to 36 C on the 21st. Temperatures may briefly drop due to the monsoon, but after the rain stops, strong sunlight will heat the ground, raising humidity and bringing sweltering, sultry heat.