Over 340 Doctor's Visits for Heat-related Illnesses in July 統計:7月至今 因熱傷害就診已343人次

All of Taiwan is suffering from high temperatures, and the number of cases of heat-related illnesses is on the rise. The latest statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare show there have been 343 doctor's visits so far this month for heat-related illnesses. The Central Weather Bureau also says a Pacific high-pressure system will affect Taiwan over the next week, and all parts, including the offshore islands, will see clear to cloudy weather.

Many scooter riders are wearing long sleeves or jackets to protect against the sun. Recently, a man in his 20s rode his bike for over an hour under the scorching sun. He then fainted and was taken to a hospital's emergency room. His temperature was over 40 degrees Celsius. Emergency physicians remind the public that those who ride bikes or scooters under the scorching sun need to remain hydrated to prevent heatstroke. They should immediately find a shady place to rest if they experience dizziness or feel like vomiting.  

Weng Tzu-hua, Emergency Physician: “The wind speed is high when we're riding, and it greatly increases the rate at which our sweat evaporates. Under these circumstances, our recommendation for riders under the scorching sun, especially motorcycle riders, is to keep a bottle of water on hand.”

The latest statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare show that there were over 10 doctor's visits for heat-related illnesses on July 17 and 18. The total number for July is 343. The Central Weather Bureau says a Pacific high-pressure system will affect Taiwan over the next week, and all parts, including the offshore islands, will see clear to cloudy weather. Sizzling hot temperatures will continue. There is a chance for the greater Taipei area to see continuous days of temperatures of 37 degrees and above starting on July 22.

Wu Wan-hua, Senior Meteorologist, Central Weather Bureau: “Starting on Friday (July 22), temperatures will be higher everywhere. We forecast that the greater Taipei area could once again see temperatures of around 37 degrees. When the weather is like this, the sunlight is intense and the UV index exceeds limits. We remind everyone to stay hydrated and to take precautions against sunburn before heading out to avert heat-related illnesses.”

On July 19, the temperature in Hualien's Yuli reached 36.5 degrees Celsius before 10 a.m. Yilan's Luodong recorded a temperature of 36 degrees before 11 a.m. The CWB says Taipei, New Taipei City, Yilan County, Taitung County, and Hualien's East Rift Valley may all see temperatures of 36 degrees or above for consecutive days.

豔陽高照，不少馬路上騎士穿上長袖上衣防曬，日前就有一名20多歲男性，在烈日下騎單車超過一個小時，結果昏迷被送醫，來到急診時體溫超過40度，急診醫師就提醒，在烈日下騎機車或是單車，都要大量喝水預防中暑，一旦有頭暈或想吐等不舒服症狀就要趕快找陰涼處休息。

急診醫師翁梓華表示：「騎車過程中，風速很快，所以會大幅增加我們汗液被蒸發的速度，所以如果是按照這樣的情況，通常都會建議說如果在騎車，特別是騎摩托車又在烈日下騎，騎完車之後最好就是，放一瓶礦泉水在車上。」

根據衛福部最新統計，7月17日、18日，單日都各有10多位熱傷害就診個案，7月累計已經有343人次。氣象局表示接下來一週受到太平洋高壓持續影響，臺灣各地以澎湖、金門、馬祖，大多為晴到多雲天氣，高溫炎熱感受還會持續，而週五起，大臺北地區更有連續37度高溫發生的機率。

氣象局簡任技正伍婉華指出：「星期五開始各地溫度更熱，我們預估在大台北地區可能再度出現37度左右的高溫，在這種天氣型態之下，陽光照射強烈，紫外線預報也都在過量級，提醒大家適時補充水分，外出做好防曬工作以免熱傷害。」

花蓮玉里19日上午接近10時溫度已經來到36.5度，宜蘭羅東接近11時高溫也站上36度，氣象局發布高溫資訊，提醒臺北市、新北市、宜蘭縣、臺東縣地區還有花蓮縱谷地區，都要注意可能連續出現36度高溫。