THE Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) is urging countries in the Region, Guyana included, to be prepared for heatwaves, due to the impact that this could have on persons’ health, including the risk of death.

Weather forecasts for North America, Central America and the Caribbean predict the occurrence of heatwaves during the summer of 2019. This could increase drought-induced stress, lead to forest fires, and have harmful effects on human health, it added.
It was noted that while Europe is experiencing heatwaves, North America, Central America and the Caribbean are also at risk. The situation could worsen between July and August, with adverse impact on human health, a release stated.

CONTINGENCY PLANS TO ADDRESS HEATWAVES
Due to the impact, PAHO has developed a guide to help countries in the Region formulate contingency plans to address the heatwaves. The guide provides recommendations that the health sector and meteorological agencies can implement to prepare for and better respond to this threat, promote health, prevent the adverse effects of heatwaves, treat affected people, and save lives.

The document stressed that heatwave contingency plans should be able to determine the extent of the threat with alert activation procedures, a description of roles and functions, and intra and inter-agency coordination mechanisms.

It also highlights that countries should strengthen the epidemiological surveillance of heat-related morbidity and mortality, the capacity of health services (training of staff, improvements in the design of new hospitals, equipping of existing hospitals in high-risk areas), and enhance the actions of local authorities, the media, and communities in terms of inter-agency response measures, prevention measures, and self-care.

THE IMPACT OF HEATWAVES ON HEALTH 
Exposure to heat causes severe symptoms such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, a condition which causes faintness, as well as dry, warm skin, due to the inability of the body to control high temperatures. The majority of heat-related deaths are due to the worsening of cardiopulmonary, renal, endocrine and psychiatric conditions. Other symptoms include edema in the lower limbs, heat rash on the neck, cramps, headache, irritability, lethargy and weakness.

People with chronic diseases who take daily medications have a greater risk of complications and death during a heatwave, as do older people and children.
Reactions to heat depend on each person’s ability to adapt and serious effects can appear suddenly. This is why it is important to pay attention to the alerts and recommendations of local authorities.

PREVENTING THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF HEAT
To prevent the harmful effects of heatwaves, persons are urged to: stay tuned to weather alerts and forecasts, avoid sun exposure between 11:00hrs and 16:00hrs; do not leave children or older persons in parked vehicles; do not exercise or engage in intense outdoor activities without proper protection; drink water every two hours, even if you are not thirsty; keep the home cool by covering windows during the day and using air conditioners or fans during the hottest hours; and consult your doctor if you have a chronic disease and take drugs.

WHAT TO DO IF THERE ARE SIGNS
Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency, and the individual should receive medical care in a hospital. As such, if there are emerging signs, all physical activity should be stopped and an ambulance called immediately; the affected person should be moved to a cool site.

Also, any physical means should be used to facilitate cooling down the head and body with water and fanning the person to reduce their temperature.
The warning signs in moderate and severe cases: in the case of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, cool, pale skin; temperature of 40º C; dizziness or faintness; headache; rapid breathing and weak, rapid pulse.

The signs for heat stroke are red, hot, and dry skin; temperature of 40ºC; throbbing headache; unconscious or in a coma and a rapid, strong pulse, the PAHO/WHO release added.

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. It serves as the regional office of the WHO for the Americas, and is the specialised health agency of the Inter-American system.
Founded in 1902, it is the world’s oldest international public health agency.