Public Health issues alert due to heat wave affecting the country
Given the sustained increase in temperatures across the national territory, the Minister of Public Health, Víctor Atallah, has made an urgent call to the public to adopt preventive measures to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other complications derived from prolonged exposure to heat.
The head of Health emphasized that hydration is the main key to facing these weather conditions. According to official recommendations, it is essential to consume water constantly throughout the day, without waiting until you feel thirsty, especially for those citizens who perform outdoor work or engage in intense physical activities.
Key recommendations for prevention
- Avoid direct exposure: Limit activities under the sun during hours of peak thermal radiation.
- Appropriate clothing: Opt for light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics.
- Environment management: Keep workspaces and the home well-ventilated. Using damp cloths or taking cool showers is recommended to regulate body temperature.
- Strategic breaks: In work environments, it is necessary to take frequent breaks in shaded areas to avoid overheating.
Let us not underestimate the heat. Let’s drink water, avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun, and take special care of our children and the elderly. Prevention will always be our best tool to protect health.
Víctor Atallah, Minister of Public Health
Protection of vulnerable groups
The Ministry of Public Health has placed special emphasis on the protection of children, the elderly, and people suffering from chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, or kidney conditions, or diabetes. In these cases, surveillance must be strict, ensuring they receive fluids constantly, as they may not manifest the need for hydration in time.
Atallah was emphatic in warning about the extreme danger of leaving vulnerable people or pets inside parked vehicles. The official stressed that the interior of a car can reach dangerous temperatures in a matter of minutes, even if it is in the shade or with the windows partially open.
Identification of warning symptoms
It is vital that the population learns to recognize the warning signs that the body sends in the face of excess heat. Symptoms such as dizziness, headache, weakness, nausea, cramps, or intense thirst are indicators that one should stop any activity and seek a cool place.
However, the Ministry warns that the appearance of confusion, disorientation, loss of consciousness, or an extremely high body temperature requires immediate medical assistance, as it could be a heat stroke, a condition that represents a health emergency.
