People cover up to hide their skin from the sun. Photo baomoi.vn

HÀ NỘI — Extreme hot spell is set to continue in the northern and central regions of the country, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecast.

The centre said due to high pressure in the west and the southwest monsoon, the northeast provinces will suffer high temperatures between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius, reaching as high as 39 degrees in some specific areas.

The temperature in Hà Nôi is forecast to reach 38 to 39 degrees Celsius.

The central provinces will face extreme heat over the next four or five days with temperatures above 40 degrees, the centre said.

The prolonged hot weather along with low humidity would bring high risks of fires to crowded residential areas with high usage of electricity and could set off forest fires in central provinces.

Health risks

The extended heat wave can cause dehydration, exhaustion and heat stroke, especially among old people, children and those who work under the sun.

Dr. Nguyễn Thị Nga of the Intensive Care Department of Hospital 108 in Hà Nội told online newspaper vietnamnet.vn that in the first three weeks of this month, the department had received three patients for heat shock.

The patients were hospitalised with high fevers around 40 degrees Celsius, deep comas, heart liver and kidney failure and severe coagulation disorder, the doctor said.

The patients had been working under the sun for several hours without resting and drinking enough water.

After being hospitalised in serious conditions, two of the three patients died. The third patient was still being treated but she remained in critical condition.

The 50-year-old woman was hospitalised on June 22 in a coma with multiple organ failures and a high fever of 42 degrees Celsius.

“People are suffering from extremely hot weather nationwide," said Dr Nga. "The extreme weather would be harmful to people’s health, with risks of sunburns, sunstrokes, fainting, cramps, and heat shock.”

“Heat shock is the most dangerous to look out for. Old people, children and those who have had diseases relating to the heart, liver or cancer, or those who have to work under direct sun, are all high-risk groups," said the doctor.

Initial symptoms of heat shock include excessive sweating, muscle pains, cramps, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting or fainting, the doctor said.

The doctor advised that if someone experiences a high fever above 39 degrees and delirium, convulsions or coma, they must be hospitalised immediately because their life is in danger.

Immediate treatment for heat shock patients is very important because prolonged high body temperature could lead to nerve and organ damage which could not be reversed, said the doctor. — VNS