Key Points

• The heat wave alert began on June 20 and affected 16 departments under an orange alert in 6 regions (Brittany, Centre-Val-de-Loire, Pays-de-la-Loire, Normandy, New Aquitaine, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes).

• Analysis of emergency care utilization indicates an increase over the period for the composite health indicator iCanicule (heatstroke/hyperthermia, dehydration, hyponatremia).

• The initial health impacts observed underscore that heat poses a health risk, especially since health effects may be delayed by a few days and intensify with continuous exposure over several days. It is important to implement preventive measures aimed at protecting the population.

• People aged 75 and older are the most affected, but younger age groups are also affected by the increase in emergency care visits for the iCanicule composite health indicator.