Thailand: 61 die of heat stroke in four months

Heat stroke killed 61 people in Thailand in the first four months of this year, 33 of whom were in the north-eastern region.

Dr. Apichart Wachiraphan, deputy director-general of the country’s Disease Control Department, said that most of the victims were elderly but of working age, with more males dying than females.

The risk factors for death from heat stroke are heavy alcohol consumption, 62.1%, those with underlying diseases, 49.2%, and people working outdoors, 27.6%.

The doctor said that anyone with a high body temperature, but without sweating, a rapid and strong heartbeat, headache, speaks incoherently or faints should be presumed to be suffering from heat stroke.

He also said that motorists must never leave any child (or pet) in a car in direct sunlight without air-conditioning, noting that the temperature inside a car can rise to life threatening levels in under 20 minutes if the air-conditioner is not operating.

To limit the chance of heat stroke, avoid any activity in direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm, he added