Görlitz in danger: Health office warns of fatal heat!

Görlitz in danger: Health office warns of fatal heat!

The sun burns, the temperatures rise and the Görlitz health department gives loud alarm signs. It is hot, and the persistent heat wave in Europe not only represents an annoying weather phenomenon, but also harbors serious health risks. The authority warns of the dangers of extreme heat such as lack of fluid, heat cramps and even heat strokes. In order to protect the population, a leaflet with recommendations was published that provides information on the correct behavior in the heat. As the Sächsische Older people and people with previous illnesses to the particularly endangered group.

The heat is not only uncomfortable, it really harms health. According to the German Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the number of heat-related deaths is continuously increasing. Forecasts indicate that in Saxony alone in 2024 around 340 people could die from the consequences of the heat. This number is derived from model calculations because the RKI does not charge any specific statistics for the Görlitz district. In particular, the extreme heat waves of recent years, heated by climate change, have devastating effects - the mortality rate due to heat waves now exceeds the number of other disasters in Europe. In an investigation, Esterhazy found that the number of heat -related deaths has tripled in recent years.

The global dimension of the heat

In order to take into account the context of the heat waves globally, it is important to focus on climate change. A current study shows that 2024 could have been the warmest since the beginning of the records. The temperatures were global by 1.55 degrees Celsius above the pre -industrial level and even 2.92 degrees higher in Europe. According to the Deutschlandfunk , the World Health Organization (WHO) counts climate change to the greatest health threat of today. Hotspots are above all the 75-year-olds and people with previous illnesses, as we also experience with the current warnings from Görlitz.

But not only the heat itself is problematic - global warming also results in a growing spread of allergies, resistance to antibiotics and diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes. The Asian tiger mosquito, a carrier of diseases such as dengue and zika fever, can now also be found in Germany. It has already spread in federal states such as Baden-Württemberg and Hesse. The health effects are therefore not only limited to heat note, but also lead to a number of other serious consequences. The fact that the number of infections and thus diseases in the coming years will probably increase is particularly alarming.

the look ahead

The need for a proactive and comprehensive heat action planning is becoming more and more urgent. According to Deutschlandfunk , only half of the federal states have created corresponding programs or at least plan them. In France, on the other hand, there are already national programs that are supposed to support particularly endangered parts of the population. The key to success lies in the effective adaptation to the climatic changes and the implementation of sustainable solutions to save lives and protect the population.

In this tense situation, it is important to deal with the heat. The health department asks to consume sufficient fluids, to stay in shady areas and to pay attention to their own health. This is the only way to defy the high temperatures and prevent harmful consequences.