Heat illness cases reach 1,638 and deaths 12: safety checks for a prolonged heat wave
As severe heat continues across Korea, cumulative heat illness cases this year have exceeded 1,600. Yonhap News reported, citing the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s heat illness emergency-room surveillance, that cases from May 15 through July 29 totaled 1,638 and suspected deaths reached 12. On the previous day alone, 76 people visited emergency rooms, and two suspected deaths were added. The most important point is not just the larger number; the high-risk times, people, and places are already clear.
Key summary
- Cumulative heat illness cases reached 1,638, with 12 suspected deaths.
- People aged 65 or older accounted for more than 31% of all cases, requiring special attention.
- Heat exhaustion was the most common condition, and outdoor worksites, fields, and roads made up large shares of locations.
- Heat response should be based on pre-set activity and rest rules, not on enduring symptoms after they appear.
Background
Heat illness is an acute condition that occurs when the body’s temperature control reaches its limit after long exposure to high heat. It may begin with dizziness, headache, or muscle cramps that feel mild, but it can become life-threatening if it progresses to heat stroke. Outdoor labor such as farming, construction, delivery, and cleaning, as well as long walks in extreme heat, can build risk even when a person still feels “fine.” Small check-ins among family members and coworkers can reduce accidents.
Confirmed facts
- Yonhap News and MBC News reported that cumulative heat illness cases reached 1,638 and suspected deaths rose to 12.
- The KDCA surveillance system compiles heat illness cases from about 500 emergency rooms nationwide.
- Reports said the two additional suspected deaths were a woman in her 90s in Gimje, North Jeolla, and a man in his 80s in Uljin, North Gyeongsang.
- Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat syncope are all major heat-related illnesses.
Issues to watch
| Item | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Older adults | Risk may be recognized later by the person affected | Daytime check-ins by family members and neighbors |
| Outdoor worksites | Perceived heat and radiant heat act together | Work-stop rules and shaded rest areas |
| Fields and roads | Places where requests for help may be delayed | Avoid working alone and keep a way to contact others |
| Early symptoms | Mild discomfort can worsen quickly | Move to a cooled space at dizziness, headache, or cramps |
What to watch next
- Check local heat warnings and perceived-temperature forecasts before activities, and reduce outdoor activity from noon to 5 p.m.
- Outdoor workplaces should treat water, shade, and rest time as operating rules, not just recommendations.
- Older adults and people with chronic conditions should check cooling access, medication, and emergency contacts in advance.
Search keywords
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