Headlines - Closure of the 2012 Heat Wave and Health Alert System.

August 31 of each year marks the end of the Heat Wave and Health Alert System (SACS). Initiated and coordinated since 2004 by the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) in close collaboration with Météo-France, SACS is part of the National Heat Wave Plan (PNC) and is activated on June 1 of each year. It is based on the daily monitoring of meteorological and health indicators. This summer, France experienced a heat wave from August 16 to 22 that affected 33 departments. In the Limousin region, all departments were placed under a Warning and Action (MIGA) level from August 17 to 20.Analysis of health data beginning the day after the alert showed a significant increase in emergency room visits for all causes and all ages in Creuse on August 19 and in Corrèze on August 20. An increase in emergency room visits for all causes was also observed among those aged 75 and older in Corrèze on August 17 and in Creuse on August 20. Visits for heat-related conditions in the region increased gradually from August 17 to 20 (peaking at 11 visits, 7 of which were in Haute-Vienne), but not significantly compared to the previous 21 days. Deaths recorded during the period show no notable variations compared to the two previous years.