99 People Rushed to Emergency Rooms Yesterday: Heat-Related Illnesses Surge Nationwide

As the heat wave continues for days, patients suffering from heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke are emerging across the country.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced today (July 12) that 99 patients visited emergency rooms due to heat-related illnesses on July 11, with no deaths reported.

By region, Gyeonggi Province recorded the highest number with 20 patients, followed by 15 in South Gyeongsang Province and 14 in South Chungcheong Province, with cases appearing in various parts of the country.

This figure represents a sharp increase of approximately five times in just one day compared to the 21 heat-related illness patients reported on July 10.

Since mid-May, the KDCA has been operating an emergency room surveillance system for heat-related illnesses in collaboration with approximately 500 medical institutions nationwide. The cumulative number of patients this year has reached 636, with two estimated deaths.

While this is lower than the same period last year, which saw approximately 1,500 cumulative patients and 9 deaths, the intensity of the heat wave is significant, requiring extra caution for the elderly, the frail, and children.


Approximately 28% of the cumulative patients this year were seniors aged 65 or older, and by type of illness, heat exhaustion accounted for more than half of the cases.

More than 86% of the cases occurred outdoors, including in fields and farms, and the most frequent time of occurrence was between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Extreme heat not only directly causes heat-related illnesses but can also exacerbate existing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

In particular, when the heat is severe enough to warrant a major heat wave warning, even healthy adults are at high risk of developing serious heat-related illnesses during outdoor activities.

Health authorities advised, "During a heat wave, you should stop outdoor activities as much as possible and stay in cool, shaded areas."

They added, "You should also replenish your body's fluids sufficiently by drinking water regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.