Key Points

• From August 9 to 17, 2025, a heat wave affected the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, with temperatures reaching exceptional levels between August 11 and 13. During this period, six departments in the region (Charente, Charente-Maritime, Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne) were placed under a red heat wave alert. On August 18, the heat wave alert was lifted in all departments of the region.

• A slight increase in visits to hospital emergency rooms (all causes) was observed during the period from August 9 to 17. This increase affected all age groups, but was particularly pronounced among those aged 15–44 and those under 15. Calls to SOS Médecins (all causes) remained within the usual seasonal fluctuations for the period, with high activity over the weekend of August 15.

• An increase in SOS Médecins and hospital emergency room activity for the iCanicule indicator (hyperthermia, dehydration, and hyponatremia) was observed during the heat wave, with an initial peak in activity from August 11 to 12, followed by another on August 16. All age groups were affected. The increases were particularly evident among people aged 75 and older for dehydration and hyponatremia, and among those aged 15–44, mainly for hyperthermia and heatstroke.

• The levels of iCanicule indicators reached during this heatwave were less severe than those observed during the heatwave that occurred between June 29 and July 3, 2025.