Key Points

A fourth heat wave triggering the yellow and orange alert levels specified in the National Heat Wave Plan (PNC) affected the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions in France between August 23 and 31, 2017. This heatwave affected Bourgogne-Franche-Comté for 7 days—from August 24 to 30 (the third wave for the region)—with:

• Two departments placed under an orange alert.

• An observed number of deaths higher than expected for the general population from all causes and among people aged 65 and older.

• Little impact observed on morbidity through heat-related emergency care visits (41 emergency room visits and 13 SOS Médecins consultations for heat-related conditions, affecting all age groups, were recorded during this period). The number of heat-related illnesses is known to increase with rising temperatures and has a minor impact on overall healthcare provision (in the range of a few percent).

The health impacts observed during heat waves underscore the importance of strengthening prevention efforts.