Key Points 

• A widespread and intense heat wave affected mainland France between July 4 and 15, with 98% of the population under an orange or red heat wave alert (95 out of 96 departments). During this period, 37 departments were placed under a red heat wave alert, representing 39% of the population of mainland France. This new heatwave, very similar to the previous one, has led to repeated exposure of the general population to extreme heat, which can increase vulnerability among
  certain groups, particularly the most vulnerable individuals.
• The number of emergency room visits across all age groups for the iCanicule indicator (hyperthermia/heatstroke, dehydration, and hyponatremia) increased from July 5 to 10 (579 visits). Between July 11 and 13, the daily number of visits remained stable at around 500, at levels higher than those observed before the June heat wave.
• Hospitalizations resulting from these visits increased between July 6 and 13, with 250 to 350 hospitalizations per day.
• The number of SOS Médecins calls for the iCanicule indicator rose starting on July 6 (133 calls) and fluctuated between 150 and 200 from July 7 to 12. Then, a peak of 235 calls was observed on July 13.
• All age groups were affected by these emergency care visits for the iCanicule indicator. More than half of the emergency department visits involved people over the age of 75, and nearly two-thirds of the SOS Médecins calls involved people under the age of 45.
• The trends observed in healthcare utilization are consistent with temperature trends. These impacts underscore the importance of implementing prevention and adaptation measures for the entire population, based on weather forecasts, without waiting to see the impacts. As a reminder, the impacts on morbidity do not allow us to predict mortality.