Authorities warn of heat stroke risk in Shanghai

A 59-year-old man surnamed Xia is in critical condition at a hospital in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Wednesday after suffering heat stroke. Nanjing is one of many cities in China that is experiencing sweltering heat and seeing a rising number of patients with heat stroke. Qin Huai / for China Daily

Medical experts in Shanghai have warned people, especially the elderly, to stay out of the sun and remain cool, as high temperatures continue to claim lives.

At least 11 people have died of heat stroke in Shanghai so far this summer. The city's temperatures have been 39 C or above in recent days and the local meteorological department said this July is the hottest in decades.

Leng Guangming, an official from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention told China Daily on Wednesday: "In addition to those exposed to the sun, many people, especially the elderly, have gotten sick indoors because they don't have air-conditioning. It's important for people to pay more attention to heat stroke prevention."

Statistics from the center show that more than 10 people aged 20 to 60 have died of heat stroke in Shanghai this summer, more than 60 percent of them spending long periods outside in physically demanding activities.

Unlike other heat-related conditions, heat stroke is a medical emergency that is often fatal if not promptly and properly treated. It is a form of severe hyperthermia, an abnormally elevated body temperature, usually 40 C or higher, with accompanying physical symptoms, including changes in the functioning of the nervous system.

"In extremely hot and very humid weather, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and evaporate sweat. Consequently, the body temperature rises," Leng said.

The latest victim was a 64-year-old merchant seaman from Taiwan who died on Wednesday morning, having arrived in Shanghai on July 13. He began to show symptoms of severe heat stroke on July 23 and fainted. He was taken to Shanghai Longhua Hospital, where he received emergency treatment, but died of organ failure several days later.

According to Minhang District Center Hospital, two out of the eight patients who suffered serious heat stroke since July 26 have died, despite a series of emergency treatment measures. Treatments include both physical and drug-induced methods of reducing body temperature, correcting dehydration and prevention of multiple organ failure.

"Most of these patients are aged 50 or above and face a higher risk of heat-related medical problems," said Deng Xingqi, a doctor from the Minhang District Center Hospital.

Deng said that among the eight patients, only one became sick outdoors, while the rest suffered heat stroke indoors.

Songjiang District Center Hospital says it has received five serious heat stroke cases, three of them with patients aged over 60. A 70-year-old patient used an electric fan to cool himself down but fainted at home when the outside temperature reached 40 C.

Many older patients have suffered from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease for years. The high summer temperatures and high humidity have increased health risks, the doctor said.

In addition to Shanghai, some neighboring provinces have also reported a number of heat-related fatalities. At least seven fatal cases caused by heat stroke were reported in Jiangsu province. And Zhejiang province has reported at least eight deaths from heat stroke, most of them people who spent a long time in the sun.

Doctors advise that those who faint due to heat should be quickly removed to a cool place with plenty of air, and measures should be taken to lower their body temperature, such as pouring cold water on the body or wiping the body with a wet towel. Meanwhile, it's important to give patients lots of water to replace lost fluids, and if possible, salt to replace salts lost through sweating. Rehydration powders mixed with water can be useful for this purpose.

On Wednesday, Shanghai saw the 25th straight day of temperatures above 35 C in July, with its maximum temperature reaching 39.8 C.

The city's meteorological department said the mercury is likely to stay around 39 C in the coming days despite thunderstorms in some parts of the city.

wanghongyi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/02/2013 page3)