Key Points

In mainland France, June and July 2019 were marked by two widespread and intense heat waves. During these two heat waves, for the first time since the implementation of the National Heat Wave Plan (PNC), mainland departments were placed on red alert due to exceptionally high daytime temperatures.

In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, these two heatwave episodes led to alert thresholds being exceeded in four departments of the region during the first episode in June (Corrèze, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne, and Haute-Vienne) and across the entire region except for the departments of Creuse, Charente, and Charente-Maritime during the second episode. A moderate impact on health was observed during these periods:

• During the periods when alert thresholds were exceeded and for the affected departments in the region, 74 [-16; 148] excess deaths were estimated, representing a relative excess mortality rate of +5.9%. People aged 75 and older accounted for the majority of excess deaths (54 deaths) during both heatwaves.

• Heat-related conditions (defined by the iCanicule indicator, which includes hyperthermia, dehydration, and hyponatremia) accounted for up to 2.7% of emergency room visits and 5.5% of SOS Médecins calls during the first episode. During the second episode, this activity was slightly lower, accounting for 1.7% of emergency room visits and 4.5% of SOS Médecins interventions. The hospitalization rate following an emergency room visit during these two episodes was 53.1% and 56.9%, respectively. While the impact was greater among those aged 75 and older, all age groups were affected.

The national report from the Heat Wave and Health Surveillance program is available on the Santé publique France website.