Latest news with #healthprecautions
CTV News
7 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Montreal under heat warning as temperatures climb
A woman walks her dog as mist rises from a water fountain in Montreal. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes) The Greater Montreal area is under a heat warning on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius and humidex values hitting 40. 'The overnight period will be uncomfortable with lows exceeding 20 degrees Celsius Thursday into Friday,' Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) states. Heat warnings are issued when very high temperatures or humidity pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Heat safety High body temperatures can cause grave injury or lead to death. The Quebec Health Ministry is asking people to take precautions during the hot weather: Drink six to eight glasses of water a day before feeling thirsty; Avoid alcoholic beverages or caffeine; Spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned or cool place; Take at least one cool shower or bath, or cool your skin with wet towels; Limit physical activity; Wear light clothes. Signs of heat illness include swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions. 'Reduce your heat risk,' Environment and Climate Change Canada notes. 'Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.' Anyone with health-related questions is encouraged to call Info-Santé at 811. In case of emergency, call 911. Child safety Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even if the windows are partially open. Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle. Make a habit of looking in the vehicle, front and back, before locking the door and walking away. Make sure your childcare provider knows to call you if your child has not been dropped off at their usual time. Always place an item (such as a purse) in the backseat so you have to open the door each time you leave the vehicle. Keep a large stuffed animal in your child's car seat when it is not occupied. When your child is in the car, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. When you arrive at your destination, avoid any distractions, including talking on the phone or texting. If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call the police. If they are in distress due to the heat, get them out as quickly as possible and call 911 immediately. Pool safety In Quebec, one child a day arrives in an emergency room for drowning or near-drowning during the summer, according to the Montreal Children's Hospital. In the last 30 years, the MCH trauma centre says it has seen more than 400 drownings and near-drownings. Data show that 73 per cent of the incidents occurred in residential pools, park pools, aquatic centres and water parks. Some ways to prevent drowning hazards:
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
NZ travellers urged to prioritise insurance as dengue outbreaks surge across the Pacific
By Elenoa Turagaiviu , PMN Kiwi travellers are strongly advised to secure comprehensive health insurance prior to travel to pacific islands. , given the escalating incidence of dengue fever across the Pacific region. Photo: 123RF Travellers from New Zealand planning a getaway to tropical destinations are being urged to grab comprehensive travel insurance, as dengue fever cases continue to climb in certain Pacific countries. Fiji has been particularly hit hard, reporting the highest number of dengue cases and related deaths. Health officials are advising anyone venturing to areas where mosquitoes can spread diseases to take extra precautions. This includes using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and staying in places with screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Travellers are also reminded that medical services in these locations can be limited, so it is important to continue taking steps to avoid mosquito bites throughout the day. Should anyone feel unwell during their trip or within three weeks after returning home, they should seek medical attention right away and inform their doctor about their recent travels. As of 16 July, several Pacific island nations, including Fiji, Sāmoa, and Tonga, have reported a surge in confirmed dengue cases. Sāmoa's Ministry of Health has reported a total of 945 confirmed dengue fever cases this year alone. Newsline Samoa reports that the latest data indicates that 237 new cases have been recorded in one week. A concerning trend is that a large percentage of those affected are under 20 years old. The country has also confirmed two dengue-related deaths, with about 10 per cent of patients needing hospitalisation. Nine dengue fever deaths have been recorded in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Photo: Ministry of Health & Medical Services - Fiji The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak in Rarotonga in May, with 50 cases reported since February. Most patients have recovered, but some required hospital care. Kiribati followed suit in late April, identifying a dengue outbreak with a total of 96 confirmed cases and 383 more suspected cases as early as June. The age range of affected individuals spans from infants to seniors, but children aged three to nine have been most affected. Tonga has also seen a rise in dengue cases, reporting five new cases as of 4 July, which brings its total to 889 since declaring an outbreak in February. Three dengue-related deaths have been noted, but no patients are currently hospitalised. Tonga's Ministry of Health is carrying out mosquito spraying in areas mostly affected. Photo: Tonga Ministry of Health Fiji's health officials reported a major outbreak earlier in the year, with 8708 confirmed cases and four deaths recorded from January to early May. The Western Division was hardest-hit, accounting for most of the cases. Despite these alarming statistics, Fiji's Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka, has reassured travellers that Fiji remains a safe destination. Gavoka says key tourist spots haven't been directly affected and encouraged visitors to follow standard health precautions. "It is important to note that dengue fever is not uncommon in tropical regions and is a year-round risk in many such destinations," he says. "Fiji has successfully managed dengue outbreaks in the past through swift and coordinated public health responses. "The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention currently maintains a Level 1 travel notice for Fiji, advising travellers to follow routine precautions to prevent mosquito bites." Travel advisories from various countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, which are advising their citizens to take typical precautions to avoid mosquito bites while visiting Fiji and other affected areas. To reduce the risk of infection, Fiji's health officials recommend visitors use insect repellant, wear long-sleeved clothing to cover their skin, and choose accommodations that are equipped to keep mosquitoes out. -This article was first published by PMN .
CBC
23-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
8 ways to help your body cope in hot weather
Social Sharing As people across Ontario, Quebec and major cities in the U.S. swelter under a June heat wave, medical experts urge people to take precautions in the potentially deadly weather. Much of eastern Canada is dealing with extreme heat and humidity, say meteorologists who point to how Environment Canada's heat record for June was broken on Sunday in Toronto. The temperature on Monday was expected to climb to 36 C at Pearson International Airport, with Environment Canada saying hot and humid conditions will likely continue until Wednesday. In summer 2021 in British Columbia, 619 deaths were attributed to a heat event, according to a B.C. coroner's report. Many of the people who died had chronic health conditions, especially schizophrenia, depression, substance use disorders, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease. Dr. Edward Xie, an emergency physician at Toronto's University Health Network, said public health units, doctors and nurses focus on 26 C, because the B.C. event showed the highest risk of death was related to indoor temperatures above that temperature throughout the heat event. Here's what Xie and other experts say happens to the body in the heat and what they recommend to stay safe. Heat-related symptoms to watch for "We have warm skin, we might look flushed, we may feel that our heart is pounding faster and we're breathing more to get that blood moving," Xie said, listing symptoms of heat exhaustion. Our bodies are very effective at normal human body temperature of around 37 C. But when the weather is hot, blood vessels expand to carry more blood to try to get rid of the extra heat faster through the skin, Xie said. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can also include dizziness, headaches, fast breathing and thirst, which can affect anyone. When that happens, the person needs to cool down within 30 minutes. WATCH | What working out in the heat does to the body: A 20-minute run in 40 C. What happens to the body in extreme heat 2 years ago Duration 3:10 When temperatures hit historic highs, it can affect every organ in the body as well as mental cognition. But what does that feel like? CBC's Lauren Pelley visited a lab where it's being studied to experience what happens when the body overheats. "The most important thing is to get somewhere cool as quickly as possible," said Greg Wells, a senior scientist at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and an exercise physiologist. Tips to prevent overheating To try to stay coo l, Wells and Health Canada also suggest: Get out of the sun and head indoors, preferably where there is air conditioning. Wear light-coloured clothing. Put on a hat. Keep the sun off your body. Consider getting exercise in the morning or in the evening. If you're already overheating, they recommend: If there's no A/C, Wells said to use what's available, such as towels with cool water on them to help suck some of the heat from your body. Stay hydrated to ensure you have enough fluids to sweat and keep the heat coming off the body. Take cool showers or baths until you feel refreshed. What impairs sweat While it may smell unpleasant, sweating is your body's friend. That's because sweating aims to get heat to dissipate into the environment. And the higher the temperature gets, the more sweating becomes the main way the body cools, Xie said. Wells said when it is really humid, that makes it even harder because the sweat doesn't evaporate off your skin as quickly to pull the heat from your body. Babies, pregnant people and those aged 65 or older aren't able to produce sweat as effectively. Xie said some medical conditions also impair the body's ability to sweat and some medications may make it easier to dehydrate. "There are many heart medications that allow people to get rid of water in their body," Xie said. "Well, you can imagine that during a heat wave, they need that extra water to not get dehydrated." Those medications include, but are not limited to, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, heart medications, thyroid medications, ADHD medications and antidepressants. In heat stroke, the body's core temperature goes above 40.6 C — a medical emergency that can lead to long-term organ damage and death. Symptoms include rapid breathing, confusion or seizures, and nausea.
Fox News
23-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
BBC presenter goes viral for correcting 'pregnant people' phrasing to 'women' during live broadcast
BBC presenter Martine Croxall corrected the term "pregnant people" to "women" on Saturday during a live broadcast as she was reporting on heat-related illnesses. "London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has released research which says that nearly 600 heat-related deaths are expected in the U.K.," Croxall began. "Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, says that the aged, pregnant people – women –," she said, pausing briefly with an edge in her voice, "and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions." The term "pregnant people" is intended to include biological women who can get pregnant but don't identify as women. The clip went viral on social media and Croxall drew praise from opponents of overly politically correct language. Croxall posted on X on Saturday thanking her followers for the support she garnered due to the clip and said, "It's been quite a ride." Croxall also responded to several social media reactions to the clip, including one who wondered if the clip was AI. "It isn't," she wrote. BBC's style guide does not include specific rules about using the term "pregnant people." The study Croxall references includes a quote from Dr. Malcolm Mistry, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who used the term "pregnant people." "Our study should be taken as a warning. Exposure to temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s may not seem dangerous, but they can be fatal, particularly for people aged over 65, infants, pregnant people, and those with pre-existing health conditions," Mistry said. Fox News Digital reached out to the BBC for comment, but it declined to provide a response on the record. The clip was lauded by J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series and a staunch defender of women-only spaces, who wrote on X, "I have a new favourite BBC presenter." Rowling got into a back-and-forth on X with singer Boy George earlier this month over transgender rights. The Harry Potter author asked on social media on June 11, "Which rights have been taken away from trans people?" The singer, whose full name is George O'Dowd, responded to Rowling's post by saying, "The right to be left alone by a rich bored bully!"
ABC News
20-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
How you can stay healthy when travelling overseas and what to do if you get sick
As many Australians prepare to jet off to warmer Asian climates for a winter break, health experts are urging them to stay vigilant for infectious diseases including COVID-19. New COVID-19 subvariants are circulating across popular holiday destinations in South-East Asia, prompting health alerts and increased screening and surveillance measures in some ports. While there are no new travel warnings specifically for Australians, doctors say now is the time to check vaccinations, pack health essentials, and take basic precautions like mask-wearing in crowded areas. Here's what's happening in the region — and how you can stay healthy overseas, regardless of where you're travelling. More than 236,000 COVID infections have been reported across South-East Asia in the past few weeks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That includes more than 85,000 in Thailand and over 5,000 in India in the past week. The WHO says a new subvariant, NB.1.8.1, is driving an increase in cases in parts of South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. The organisation is urging countries in the region to strengthen surveillance and encourage vaccinations. In Bangladesh, authorities have urged citizens to avoid non-essential trips to India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia due to a sudden rise in COVID cases in those places. The country has also bolstered health screening and surveillance measures at land, sea and air ports. Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Queensland, says Australians should be aware of the spread of new subvariants. "The risk of COVID is still significant — both while travelling and here in Australia," Professor Griffin says. "The backbone of protection, whether at home or overseas, is vaccination and we're simply not doing enough of that at the moment." Professor Griffin says the wave of new infections is linked to the FLiRT subvariant family and the newer NB.1.8.1 strain. "It's not necessarily more severe, but it does seem better at evading previous immunity and attaching to human cells, making it more infectious," he says. "That's why it's important to have a recent booster, like the JN.1-based one, which still offers excellent protection against these new strains." Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has not issued any new travel alerts specifically for COVID risk in South-East Asia. However, it has advised to exercise a "high degree of caution" in Indonesia overall due to security risks. The Australian government recommends you monitor Smartraveller for destination-specific health advice and stay informed about local rules and entry requirements. Broadly, there are no signs Australians are reconsidering travel. Source: ATIA, ABS Demand for international flights remains high, with a new report from the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) showing outbound travel up 12.1 per cent in the 12 months to April. ATIA chief executive Dean Long says Australians are prioritising value and climate while COVID "is not really part of the decision-making process for most people". "People who are worried are still taking precautions, but it's no longer top of mind for the majority of travellers." Okay, but what if you're planning to travel elsewhere internationally? Professor Griffin says healthy, vaccinated Australians can still travel safely but need to factor COVID into their planning. "There are still basic things everyone can do: get a booster, wear a mask when appropriate, practice good hand hygiene and make sure you're in well-ventilated spaces," he says. Professor Griffin says older Australians or those with pre-existing health conditions should consider getting tailored medical advice before they leave. He recommended making sure vaccinations are up to date at least two weeks before departure. Doctors say the best defence is preparation. Pack a basic travel health kit, including hand sanitiser, masks, electrolytes, paracetamol and any personal medications. If you do fall ill overseas, DFAT advises seeking local medical care promptly and contacting your travel insurer early, as they may help organise treatment or cover costs. If you're too sick or need help finding an English-speaking doctor, DFAT can provide a list of nearby doctors or hospitals. Consular officials can help connect you with local healthcare and provide support in emergencies. Experts say yes, but only if you read the fine print. Professor Griffin reiterated the importance of carefully reviewing travel insurance policies before departure. "One of the big issues is coverage for pre-existing conditions," he says. "If your illness is deemed related to one of those, you may not be covered — even for COVID." He also warned some insurers have scaled back the extra COVID protections they introduced during the pandemic, so you could be caught out if you need to cancel or extend your trip due to illness. "If you get sick, you may need to isolate or delay your return. That's where good travel insurance really becomes critical." Mr Long urged Australians to go beyond the basics for travel insurance, warning that some credit card policies offer limited protection. "There are a number of policies that now include COVID because it's just a health condition," he says.
