Public Health Minister warns public of heatstroke

Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla says intense heat from global warming can cause heatstroke. He says people with the disease have 70 percent chance of dying, and elders, youths, people who lack enough sleep, and alcoholics have to be more careful of heatstroke. They are advised to drink lots of clean water.

Dr. Mongkol says the weather in Thailand is hotter than the previous years due to global warming, and people can be infected more easily in high temperature. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health is keeping a close watch of heatstroke. In the United States, at least 371 people have died from heatstroke. Dr. Mongkol says hot weather can cause fainting, blackout, cramps, and exhaustion. However, in severe heat, people can suffer from diarrhea and nausea since the body cannot control the temperature.

The Public Health Minister says heatstroke is a form of hyperthermia that causes the body temperature to rise and can happen to any strong person. He says it can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated. The symptoms are high body temperature, hallucinations, disorientation, rapid pulse, seizure, and dry skin.

The first aid is to get the victim to a shady area, lift up the lower path of body to ease the blood circulation, apply cool water, or ice packs to the skin, under arms and groins, fan the victim and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops and send the victim to the hospital for further treatments.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 April 2007

Ice treat

A tiger in Dusit Zoo is given ice to relieve the stress from soaring temperatures yesterday. Bangkok recorded a high of 38 Celsius.

Source: The Nation - 5 April 2007