Arabic version: تحذيرات من المسؤولين الصحيين بشأن مخاطر موجة الحر على الشباب

Officials across Europe are urging residents, including young and fit individuals, to modify their behavior during an ongoing heatwave that has led to a surge in life-threatening emergencies. According to BBC News, London’s ambulance service reported its busiest day on record this week, with cardiac arrests increasing by 30%.

In response to the extreme temperatures, which have reached the mid-30s in London, health authorities are advising people to avoid outdoor exercise and to drink responsibly. The London Ambulance Service has seen a 50% rise in life-threatening emergency calls compared to an average Wednesday in June. Chief operating officer Craig Harman emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, recommending that people drink water even when they do not feel thirsty.

Meanwhile, in Paris, authorities have implemented restrictions on public alcohol consumption from noon through the night on both Friday and Saturday. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire cautioned that young people should not consider themselves invulnerable to the heat’s effects, noting a significant presence of joggers in the city despite the risks.

The heatwave has also posed challenges during the night, preventing the body from cooling down adequately between daytime heat spikes. Experts warn that heat exhaustion can develop quickly, particularly in individuals engaging in strenuous activities or consuming alcohol in high temperatures. France’s Health Minister Stéphanie Rist highlighted that young people are increasingly experiencing cardiac arrests, with the Paris ambulance service reporting four times the normal rate of such incidents within a 24-hour period.

Health officials continue to stress the importance of taking precautions during this extreme weather, advising people to exercise during cooler parts of the day and to prioritize hydration over alcohol consumption.