Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Italy sees a surge in global tourists in August, undeterred by intense heatwaves sweeping the nation and pushing temperatures to record highs. The surge in individuals seeking emergency care for heat-related illnesses has significantly increased in some of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations as the nation grapples with an intense heatwave that hasn’t deterred visitors. Since mid-June, Italy has been under the grip of consecutive heatwaves.
In the coming days, certain central and southern regions are forecasted to experience temperatures soaring above 40°C. On Monday, the health ministry issued a red alert for 17 cities, signaling that even healthy individuals could be at risk from the extreme heat. Those residing in or visiting these areas are advised to avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.
m. and 6 p.m.
Fabio De Iaco, the president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine, informed Corriere della Sera that as the heatwave intensified, there was a 20% increase in the number of people seeking emergency care for heat-related issues in cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples. In Rome, incidents of people fainting from the heat have been reported in St. Peter’s Square and near popular landmarks like the Trevi Fountain.
Dr. Pierpaolo Ciocchetti, the director of the emergency department at Fatebenefratelli Hospital in central Rome, noted that most of those requiring medical attention were elderly and had pre-existing conditions. However, he cautioned that younger people should not underestimate the dangers of extreme heat.
He urged people to avoid overcrowding emergency units with conditions that could be managed at home, noting a concurrent rise in hospital admissions for COVID-19. The majority of heat-related cases are treated with rehydration, with only 1-2% requiring hospitalization. In July, four deaths in Italy were linked to heat-related illnesses.
Last week, a 26-year-old woman in Turin underwent an emergency liver transplant after collapsing from heatstroke while working on a farm. Despite the oppressive heat, tourism in Italy remains undeterred, with foreign visitor numbers estimated to be 2.5% higher than in 2023.
In July and August, major cities are packed with tourists, while many Italians seek refuge at the beach or in the mountains. However, with sea temperatures exceeding 30°C, finding relief from the heat is challenging even along the coast..
