Key Points

• The first orange heat wave alert of the summer of 2023 began on July 9 and affected 10 departments in 3 regions (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur). The Alpes-Maritimes department has remained under an orange heat wave alert since the start of the episode. As of July 18, Météo France placed six additional departments under an orange heat wave alert.

• Analysis of emergency care utilization indicates an increase in the iCanicule indicator (hyperthermia/heatstroke, dehydration, hyponatremia), linked to rising temperatures, starting on July 7, before the orange heatwave alert was activated. The peak in emergency care visits was recorded on July 11, followed by a decrease in the indicator, though it did not return to the level observed before the heatwave.

• Heat poses a health risk. The observed health impacts underscore the importance of implementing preventive measures to mitigate the effects of heat.