A record-breaking heatwave has led to a surge in severe injuries and health complications across Slovenia, prompting medical experts to urge residents to limit physical activity during the hottest parts of the day. The University Clinical Centre (UKC) in Ljubljana reported a sharp increase in patients with serious injuries, many of which were linked to falls in the mountains and traffic accidents. This rise coincides with an unprecedented number of helicopter landings at the UKC's helipad, where three helicopters landed in one day alone, marking a significant spike compared to previous years. The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) issued guidelines advising citizens to avoid overexertion and to stay cautious during high temperatures. They emphasized that extreme heat can lead to fatigue, impaired coordination, and increased risk of accidents. In particular, they recommended limiting outdoor physical activities to early mornings and evenings when temperatures are lower. The UKC noted that many of the recent severe injuries occurred due to falls in mountainous areas, highlighting the dangers posed by both the heat and reduced alertness among individuals. Data from the Ministry of Defence revealed a dramatic increase in helicopter rescue operations. Over the past decade, the average number of such interventions was around 200 annually, but this year alone, there have been approximately 750. Helicopters operated by the Slovenian Army (SV) and police aviation units have conducted numerous rescues, especially in July, with 71 missions recorded, 58 of them due to accidents. In comparison, last year saw only 44 such incidents in the same period. The frequency of these operations has prompted the SV to deploy an additional helicopter at Brnik Airfield to meet the heightened demand for emergency services. In the first five days of August alone, 18 rescue operations were carried out, with seven of them resulting from accidents. This represents a substantial increase compared to the entire month of August last year, when 58 rescues took place, 40 of which were accident-related. The primary regions affected include the Julian Alps, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and Karawanks, with frequent operations near regional information centers in Kranj, Nova Gorica, and Celje. The SV’s helicopters have transported 120 injured or ill individuals and delivered around 70,000 liters of water to fire scenes in areas such as Jurška vas, Zgornji Jezerski, and Planje pri Bovškem. Healthcare facilities across the country have also reported a notable increase in patients suffering from dehydration, collapses, and exacerbations of chronic conditions. The UKC in Ljubljana observed a marked rise in the most severe cases, with three helicopters landing at their helipad in one day. These incidents were attributed to higher external temperatures and increased fatigue caused by the heat, leading to hypnosis-like drowsiness or lack of focus during various activities. The UKC in Maribor reported a similar trend, noting a rise in patients with dehydration and worsening chronic illnesses, particularly heart failure, arrhythmias, and respiratory diseases. At the Ljubljana Health Centre, there has been an uptick in visits to the Ambulance for General Emergency Medical Care, primarily involving older patients with chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions whose symptoms worsened due to the heat. Common complaints included fainting spells, dizziness, breathing difficulties, and swelling. Younger patients presented with headaches, fatigue, fainting episodes, and allergic reactions to insect bites. Both the Ljubljana and Maribor Health Centres advised the public to recognize the signs of heatstroke, emphasizing the need for immediate action if suspected, including calling emergency services and cooling the affected individual. The heatwave has also impacted wildlife, with the Slovenian Hunters' Association warning of the stress placed on wild animals due to prolonged high temperatures and drought. Species such as chamois, deer, and wild boars face challenges related to access to water and food, increasing their vulnerability to disease and predators. The association urged residents to provide shallow containers filled with fresh water in gardens, forest edges, and courtyards to help mitigate the effects of the heat on local fauna. They emphasized the importance of regularly refilling and cleaning these containers to prevent the spread of disease and advised against feeding wild animals with human food, which could cause digestive issues and further dehydration. Individuals encountering visibly exhausted or dehydrated animals were encouraged to keep their distance and contact local authorities or hunting associations for assistance.
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