WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is warning Caribbean countries to be prepared to deal with the heat waves that have so far affected several nations, including the United States.
Temperatures are rising in the regionIt is predicting that this phenomenon will hit various parts of South America, and as a result countries in the Americas should be prepared due to the impact that this could have on peoples’ health, including the risk of death.
PAHO noted that over the past 12 months, at least 24 countries in the Americas have been affected by heatwaves, including The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
“Weather forecasts for South America predict heat waves … could increase heat-induced stress, reduce the availability of water, increase the risk of forest fires and the loss of crops,” PAHO reported. “Heatwaves can also cause power cuts, reducing access to cool air, refrigeration and air-conditioning.”
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As a result, PAHO said it has developed communication materials to enable members of the public to be prepared, as well as a guide to help countries in the Americas formulate contingency plans to address heat waves.
PAHO warned that exposure to heat may cause severe symptoms such as heat stroke due to the body’s inability to regulate temperature.
“People experiencing this may present with hot, dry and red skin, rapid pulse, nausea, cramps and loss of consciousness, which may lead to coma and death,” PAHO explained.
“The majority of deaths due to heat waves are caused by the worsening of infectious or chronic conditions. Other symptoms include edema in the lower limbs, heat rash on the neck, cramps, headache, irritability, lethargy and weakness.”
PAHO said people with a higher risk of experiencing complications or death during a heat wave are children, older adults and those with chronic conditions that require daily medication and that reactions to heat depends on each person’s ability to adapt and serious effects can appear suddenly.
