WHO: 5 deaths in Italy in 24 hours due to heat.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the impact of extreme heat in Italy, reporting five deaths attributed to the heatwave over a 24-hour period. This information was shared by Hans Henri P. Kluge, the WHO's regional director for Europe, who described the current wave of heat across Europe as a "dress rehearsal." He emphasized that emergency services throughout the continent are experiencing unprecedented pressure, with ambulance call numbers reaching record levels in certain cities. In particular, he highlighted that Italy has recorded five fatalities linked to the heat within this timeframe.

In response to these claims, the Italian Ministry of Health stated that there were no confirmed reports of such deaths. Maria Rosaria Campitiello, head of the Prevention Department at the Ministry of Health, clarified during a conference at the Senate that their data collection process is based on real-time information received from municipalities. She noted that they have yet to observe any significant peaks in mortality rates and suggested that the WHO’s figures might be projections rather than actual counts. Campitiello stressed that the ministry operates using real data and that the WHO's statistics could be statistical estimates.

Kluge also pointed out that other European countries are facing similar challenges. In France, emergency medical service calls increased by up to 50 percent in some cities. London saw its highest number of life-threatening emergency calls in a single day last week. Spain's health monitoring system estimated more than 300 excess deaths associated with the heat in just a few days. These developments underscore the growing frequency and intensity of heatwaves across Europe, which are occurring at more than double the global average rate. Kluge warned that without adequate preparation, each summer could result in loss of human lives.

Despite these alarming trends, Kluge expressed cautious optimism regarding preventive measures. He cited studies indicating that the implementation of adaptation strategies has significantly reduced heat-related deaths in Europe compared to scenarios where no such measures had been taken. For instance, the number of deaths among individuals aged 80 or older would have potentially doubled without existing prevention efforts. According to Kluge, initiatives such as action plans for heat health, early warning systems, cooling spaces, and assistance programs for vulnerable populations are proving effective in saving lives. He called for further enhancement and widespread adoption of these measures across the entire European region.

To address these issues, Kluge announced a meeting scheduled for Monday, July 6, involving national representatives responsible for emergencies, environment, and climate change from all WHO member states in the European region. The agenda will focus on assessing lessons learned from the current heatwave, readiness for future events, and ways in which the WHO can provide greater support. This meeting aims to ensure coordinated responses to increasingly frequent and severe heat episodes.

Currently, 25 Italian cities have been marked with a red alert, indicating high risk levels for public health, particularly for elderly individuals, those with pre-existing conditions, and workers exposed to high temperatures. These cities include Ancona, Bari, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Catania, Civitavecchia, Firenze, Frosinone, Genova, Latina, Milano, Napoli, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Roma, Torino, Trieste, Venezia, Verona, and Viterbo. Reggio Calabria holds an orange alert today and tomorrow, while Messina remains under a yellow alert, indicating lower risk levels.

The situation highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events. As temperatures continue to rise, both individuals and governments must remain vigilant and prepared to implement protective measures effectively.