Cases of heat-induced illness, deaths were second highest ever this summer: KDCA

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Cases of heat-induced illness, deaths were second highest ever this summer: KDCA

Published: 13 Oct. 2024, 16:02

Condenser units connected to indoor air conditioners operate outside of a building in downtown Seoul on Aug. 14. [NEWS1]

The number of heat-related illnesses and suspected deaths this year was the second highest since 2018 due to the severe heat wave, according to health authorities.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced the results of its heat-related illness surveillance system, which monitored around 500 emergency medical institutions from May 20 to Sept. 30, on the Sunday.

During this period, there were a total of 3,704 heat-related patients, an increase of 31.4 percent from last year. The number of suspected deaths due to heat-related illnesses was 34, an increase of 6.3 percent from last year's 32.

The emergency room surveillance system has been operated every summer since 2011 to detect the health impacts of heat waves early and inform the public, contributing to minimizing harm from climate change.

This year, the total number of heat-related patients was the second highest following 2018, which saw 4,526 cases, and the death toll was also the second highest, following the same year's 48 deaths.

By age group, the highest number of heat-related patients were in their 50s at 716, followed by 678 in their 60s, 538 in their 40s and 478 in their 30s. Those aged 65 and older accounted for 30.4 percent of the total patients.

Among the fatalities, the elderly aged 80 and above accounted for the largest number with 10 deaths. The number of deceased aged 60 and above was 23, a decrease of 14.8 percent from last year’s 27, but the number of deaths among those under 60 surged by 120 percent to 11, compared to five the last year.

A person swelters in front of a thermometer indicating daily temperature of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Aug. 19. [YONHAP]

By type of illness, heat exhaustion accounted for 2,060 cases, or 55.6 percent of the total. There were also 732 cases of heat stroke, 556 cases of heat seizures and 302 cases of heat-induced fainting. Heat stroke was the suspected cause of death in 94.1 percent of fatalities.

By region, Gyeonggi had the most cases with 767, followed by South Jeolla with 407, South Gyeongsang with 377, North Gyeongsang with 290 and South Chungcheong with 244. South Gyeongsang had the most deaths with six, followed by five each in South Chungcheong, South Jeolla and North Gyeongsang. Seoul, Gyeonggi and Gangwon each recorded two deaths.

In terms of where the illnesses occurred, 2,914 cases were outdoors, 3.7 times more than the 790 cases indoors. Outdoor worksites had the most cases with 1,176, followed by 529 in fields, 364 on the street and 339 in indoor workplaces.

By occupation, general laborers accounted for the most cases with 947, followed by 483 unemployed individuals and 371 agricultural, forestry and fishery workers.

Among the fatalities, 28 people, or 82.4 percent of the total deaths, died outdoors.

Of all heat-related patients, men accounted for 2,908 cases, or 78.5 percent. There were 20 male deaths and 14 female deaths.

"We will continue to work on reducing the harm to health caused by heat waves by providing detailed prevention guidelines tailored to specific locations and situations for vulnerable groups sensitive to the climate,” said Jee Young-mee, commissioner of KDCA.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]