Key Points

• Following a heat wave, Météo France issued an orange heat wave alert for the departments of Aisne, Nord, and Oise, as well as a yellow alert for Somme and Oise, effective June 30. These alert levels remained in effect through July 2, for a total of three days.

• A regional analysis of emergency care utilization shows a sharp increase in the composite health indicator “iCanicule” (covering hyperthermia, dehydration, and hyponatremia) throughout the heatwave. An increase in hospitalizations following emergency room visits for iCanicule was also observed.

This trend was observed in all departments, except for Oise (under a yellow alert), where levels of healthcare utilization remained within normal fluctuations.