Extreme heat, increased incidence of heatstroke.

The prolonged and intense heatwave in northern Vietnam over the past few days has led to an increase in emergency cases at many medical facilities, with numerous patients being hospitalized due to heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and mental disorders.

Workers in Hanoi struggle in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius - Photo: PHAM TUAN

Hospital admissions have increased due to the heatwave in recent days. The Ministry of Health advises people to limit going outside during peak hours of sunlight.

Many workers are hospitalized.

In recent days, the number of emergency cases related to heatwaves at the A9 Emergency Center of Bach Mai Hospital has increased by about 20-30%, with many young people being admitted with symptoms of heatstroke and heat shock.

On the morning of May 26th, Dr. Dang Tuan Dung from the A9 Emergency Center stated that the unit receives an average of 250 patients for examination each day. During peak hot weather days, this number increases to approximately 300 cases per day.

"Outdoor temperatures frequently exceeding 40 ^° C have a significant impact on health, increasing problems such as sunburn, cramps, fainting, heatstroke... The most dangerous of these is heat shock."

"The patients are mostly young people of working age who are brought to the emergency room in a state of exhaustion and profuse sweating. Some cases involve hyperthermia due to heatstroke, and in more severe cases, coma or seizures," Dr. Dung said.

Recently, the center admitted a male worker who had been working outdoors in the hot sun for an extended period. The patient was exhausted, severely dehydrated, and diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis accompanied by acute renal failure due to dehydration.

After receiving first aid, having their body temperature lowered on-site, and being transferred to the hospital, the patient received intravenous fluids, treatment for acute rhabdomyolysis, and temperature control. Their condition is now stable.

Phu Tho Provincial General Hospital recently admitted two farmers who were in critical condition and in a coma due to working continuously in the fields under high temperatures.

Besides admitting patients with heatstroke and heat exhaustion, the Institute of Mental Health at Bach Mai Hospital has also recorded an increase in patients with mental disorders. According to Dr. Duong Minh Tam from the Institute of Mental Health, many patients who already suffered from psychotic disorders and were receiving treatment at home experienced a worsening of their symptoms during the prolonged heatwave.

Ministry of Health: Limit going out during peak heat hours.

Given the prolonged heatwave with temperatures reaching 40 ^° C in Northern and Central Vietnam, and the forecast of El Nino's influence intensifying the heat, the Ministry of Health advises people to limit outdoor exposure to the sun during hot days, especially between 10 am and 4 pm.

In particular, those who have to work in hot weather should schedule their work during cooler periods. Limit the time spent working in high-temperature environments. Minimize the area of ​​the body exposed to sunlight, especially the neck and shoulders.

The heatwave will continue until May 28th.

According to the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, on May 26th, the Northern and Central regions of Vietnam continued to experience hot weather with temperatures generally ranging from 37-39 ^° C, and exceeding 39 ^° C in some areas. Hanoi recorded temperatures as high as 40 ^° C in some places, the highest in the country. Many other localities in the Central region also recorded very high temperatures above 39 ^° C.

Forecasts indicate that the 40 ^° C heatwave in Northern and Central Vietnam will continue until around May 27th and 28th. On May 28th, the heatwave will only affect the midland and lowland areas of Northern Vietnam, but the intensity will gradually decrease. From May 29th onwards, the widespread heatwave will end in Northern Vietnam, and the heatwave in Central Vietnam will gradually subside.

WILLOW AND WISDOM

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nang-nong-cuc-doan-nguoi-soc-nhiet-tang-20260526230116112.htm