Key Points

A heat wave triggering the yellow and orange alert levels specified in the National Heat Wave Plan (PNC) occurred in mainland France between July 24 and August 8, 2018. This heat wave affected the Occitanie region starting on July 24, with three departments placed under heat wave alert. Between July 29 and August 7, 10 departments in the region experienced heatwave alert periods, 6 of which saw actual exceedances of the alert thresholds.From July 24 to August 11* in the Occitanie region, there were 460 emergency room visits and 148 SOS Médecins calls for heat-related conditions (representing 0.6% and 1.9% of total activity, respectively), an increase compared to the rest of the summer period. This increase was primarily observed during heat wave alert periods (July 29 to August 7). Among emergency room visits for heat-related conditions, 54% resulted in hospitalization (n=246). While the impact was greater among those aged 75 and older, all age groups were affected.Regarding mortality, in Occitanie during the periods when temperature thresholds were exceeded in the departments (Table 1), excess mortality from all causes is estimated at 198 [159:234] deaths, representing an estimated excess mortality rate of 24.8% [19.0:30.6%]. The Pyrénées-Orientales department experienced the highest excess mortality during this heatwave, as well as the most intense heat. However, it is not possible to estimate the number of excess deaths directly linked to the heat. People aged 65 to 74 were the most affected. This heat wave was significant in terms of its duration and geographical extent. It confirms that extreme heat remains a major health risk.

* Extended period of 3 days to allow for the estimation of delayed impacts