Italy is currently in the grip of an intense heatwave that has sparked a significant increase in emergency care visits for heat-related illnesses. Popular tourist cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples have seen a 20% rise in cases, as both locals and visitors struggle to cope with the extreme temperatures.
Since mid-June, Italy has experienced consecutive heatwaves, with some central and southern regions expected to see temperatures soar above 40°C in the coming days.
The health ministry has placed 17 cities on red alert, warning that even healthy individuals could be at risk. Residents and tourists in these areas are advised to avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The situation has been particularly dire in Rome, where fainting incidents have been reported at St. Peter’s Square and near popular attractions like the Trevi Fountain.
Italy’s relentless heatwave pushes 17 cities to red alert, tourists still undeterred.Dr. Fabio De Iaco, president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine, highlighted the surge in emergency care visits, while Dr. Pierpaolo Ciocchetti, director of the emergency department at Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome, emphasized that the majority of those affected are elderly individuals with pre-existing conditions.
However, younger people are also being cautioned not to underestimate the dangers of the heat. Dr. Ciocchetti urged people to manage milder illnesses at home to avoid overwhelming emergency services, noting that hospital admissions for COVID-19 have also been on the rise.
While most heat-related cases are resolved with rehydration, 1-2% have required hospitalization. Tragically, four deaths linked to the extreme heat were reported in July, including a 26-year-old woman who underwent an emergency liver transplant after collapsing from heatstroke while working on a farm in Turin.
Despite the extreme heat, tourists continue to flock to Italy, with foreign visitor numbers up by 2.5% compared to 2023. However, with sea temperatures exceeding 30°C, even coastal areas offer little relief from the relentless heat.