A collection of heatwaves are at the moment scorching nations in Europe, and with temperatures exceeding 40C in some vacationer locations, holidaymakers could also be questioning the security of taking off this summer time throughout excessive warmth.
As international temperatures rise with local weather change and wildfires incessantly blaze by fashionable vacation areas, heat-related health risks have elevated for travellers.
In 2024, British TV presenter Dr Michael Mosley, two Dutch vacationers, a French vacationer and one American man died in separate incidents in Greece throughout blistering temperatures recorded final June.
Between 2000 and 2019, roughly 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred annually – over 70,000 of those deaths individuals who died in the course of the 2003 heatwave in Europe – stories the World Well being Organisation (WHO).
With peak journey season and the summer time holidays quick approaching, how can vacationers keep protected whereas holidaying in heatwave scorching spots?
Learn extra: Tourists warned as parts of Europe fry in extreme heatwave
Which European nations are more than likely to expertise excessive warmth?
Extreme warmth has gripped components of Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Germany and Portugal to this point this summer time, with temperature highs close to 40C felt throughout Europe.
On Sunday, the Italian well being ministry positioned 21 out of 27 monitored cities under its highest heat alert, together with high vacation locations like Rome, Milan and Naples.
Greece is on excessive wildfire alert due to excessive climate, with a big wildfire blazing close to Athens forcing evacuations and street closures final week.
Final Friday, Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon warned that southern and western Europe was experiencing a heatwave that was extending into southeastern components of the continent.
He mentioned: “Temperatures are anticipated to be 5-10C above regular pretty broadly in Europe, with the potential for a number of places to achieve round 40C within the southeast, and probably even increased throughout components of Iberia from Friday, seemingly difficult some June information.”
What’s authorities recommendation on heatwaves?
Based on normal recommendation from the UK International Workplace (FCDO), “intense warmth could be harmful”.
It reminds travellers, that dangers related to heatwaves embody dehydration, overheating and heatstroke.
TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) says that local weather change is “more likely to see the quantity and depth of heatwaves enhance”.
Nonetheless, if vacationers take “smart precautions” a lot of the well being dangers that include scorching climate could be minimised.
“Travellers needs to be conscious that heatwaves might place native well being providers underneath further stress as, for instance, the demand for care might enhance or there could also be disruption to energy and water provides,” it provides.
What are the signs of warmth stroke?
The World Well being Organisation says extreme signs of warmth stroke embody swelling within the decrease limbs, warmth rash on the neck, cramps, headache, irritability, lethargy and weak point.
Moreover, warmth may cause extreme dehydration, acute cerebrovascular accidents and contribute to blood clots, says WHO.
How can holidaymakers cut back warmth associated well being dangers?
The NaTHNaC advise holidaymakers in scorching locations to:
- Carry cool water and drink loads of fluids
- Put on mild, loose-fitting garments and solar hats
- Apply sunscreen incessantly
- Attempt to preserve out of the direct solar between 11am to 3pm
- By no means go away anybody in a closed automotive or car
- Pay attention to the indicators of warmth exhaustion and Heatstroke – together with tiredness, feeling faint, dizziness and intense thirst
- Search medical assist if signs don’t resolve
Which travellers are most in danger throughout heatwaves?
Aged travellers, infants and younger youngsters are most in danger throughout excessive temperatures as they’re “much less in a position to regulate their physique temperature”, says the NaTHNaC.
These with underlying well being situations, on a number of medicines and pregnant ladies are additionally weak in scorching climate, in keeping with the well being authority.
It provides: “Scorching climate can enhance the chance of coronary heart assault, stroke, lung issues and different ailments.”
What does the NHS say?
The NHS reminds UK travellers that in heatwaves, “extra individuals than normal get severely unwell or die”.
It recommends avoiding alcohol, caffeine and scorching drinks and taking cool showers throughout temperature spikes.
Can I cancel a vacation as a result of warmth wave security considerations?
Whereas the International Workplace has normal excessive climate warnings in place for a number of European nations, the UK authorities has to this point stopped wanting issuing “don’t journey” recommendation amid the heatwave.
“In consequence, there isn’t any computerized proper for households to curtail, cancel or change deliberate journeys, and vacation firms and airways say normal terms and conditions will apply,” said Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent at The Independent.
Holidaymakers with a travel insurance policy in which a pre-existing health condition has been declared may have grounds to claim for a cancellation if they receive specific medical advice against travel to a very hot location.
For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast
