Key Points

• The orange heat wave alert began on June 20 and was extended on June 29 to nearly the entire country, covering 86 departments across all regions of France. As of July 1, 16 departments were placed under a red heat wave alert.

• Analysis of emergency care visits shows an increase in the iCanicule composite health indicator (heatstroke/hyperthermia, dehydration, hyponatremia), particularly since June 28, across all age groups.

• The number of emergency care visits for hyperthermia has been rising since June 28, particularly among those under 15 and those aged 15–44.

• The initial health impacts observed underscore that heat poses a health risk, especially since health effects may be delayed by a few days and increase with continued exposure over several days. It is important to implement preventive measures to protect the population, particularly given the early onset, intensity, and geographic extent of this heat wave.