Fears for elderly and vulnerable as sharp rise in fatalities is linked to hot weather
Britain's heatwave could have caused a sharp rise in deaths over the past two weeks, health officials warned today.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said its analysis of government data on death rates in June or July over the past decade revealed there had been several hundred "excess deaths" in the past two weeks, which could be due to the heat.
"Although these are very preliminary data, experts suggest that the hot weather may have been the cause for some of the increase," a HPA spokesman said.
Temperatures hit 31.7C (89.1F) in Gravesend, Kent, yesterday – the highest in the UK this year. Similar conditions are expected today, with parts of south-east England expected to reach at least 31C.
An official heatwave health alert remains in place, with reminders that the roasting weather poses a risk to the elderly and vulnerable.
Yvonne Doyle, the regional director of public health and heatwave adviser to the government, said: "Younger people see the hot weather as a cause for celebration, tanning and barbecues – but for older people and those with long-term health problems it can be very serious and cause unnecessary deaths.
"If you have elderly neighbours or relatives, check on them and make sure they're prepared and can manage.
"Keep curtains and windows closed during the day, when the outside temperature is hotter than indoors. Plenty of cool drinks are important for everyone – water is best, and avoid excess alcohol or hot drinks".
In the 2003 heatwave there were 2,000 to 3,000 excess deaths in England, the HPA said.
Overnight temperatures hovered around 20C in London and in the high teens in large towns and cities. They are expected to drop slightly to 28C tomorrow, but it is expected to become more humid.
Wayne Elliott, tje head of health forecasting at the Met Office, said: "While there is the possibility of daytime temperatures reaching trigger thresholds, it is the night-time values which are of real concern.
"High humidity and the lack of any breeze could make matters worse for people with underlying health problems".
Michelle Mitchell, Age UK charity director, asked people with an older relative or neighbour to check that they were coping.
"Our bodies are less able to cope with hot weather as we get older so it is extremely important that older people take sensible precautions during a heatwave, particularly if they are on medication," she said.
