(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) The Ministry of Health urged the public, particularly the elderly and sick people, to stay out of the sun during the heat wave sweeping the Kingdom, warning against health hazards posed by rising temperatures, namely heatstrokes.
The Meteorology Department has said the Kingdom will this week remain under the effect of an extension of a thermal depression accompanied by a hot air mass that will send temperatures to the high of 38 degrees celsius, about seven degrees above their average at this time of year.
It said the hot conditions will prevail in most regions of the Kingdom, and that temperatures will be particularly higher in the Jordan Valley and Aqaba. Citizens will feel the effect of the air mass further deepening on Monday, it said, projecting that the unseasonal conditions will persist for the rest of the week when mercury levels will reach the peak of 40 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday. The health ministry put out an advisory, saying it was pursuing its awareness campaigns through the media to warn of the health hazards and call for protection and speedy treatment of heatstrokes which are the most common risk factor of soaring heat.
"Children, the elderly and people who suffer from chronic diseases as well as those who work under the sun, like workers and farmers, are most at risk due to rising temperatures and direct exposure to the sun", a ministry statement cautioned.
"A heatstroke occurs during direct exposure to sunlight, engaging in physical activity in the dry conditions and losing a large amount of water and salts, which lead to dehydration", it explained.
The statement cited such symptoms of heatstroke as red, hot and dry skin, fatigue and exhaustion, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and nausea. It stressed the importance of speedy treatment by moving the patient into a shady or cool place, out of direct sunlight, cool the person's body by sponging or spraying cold water, fan him to help lower body temperature and then quickly transfer the person to the nearest medical facility.
The ministry also advised persons who are exposed to the sun for long while doing physical effort to drink plenty of water and fluids, keep out of poorly ventilated places, avoid long exposure to or walking under direct sunlight, stay in the shade, use an umbrella and wear loose-fitting clothing.
It urged families to protect their children by not allowing them to play under the intense heat, keep food and drinks refrigerated to prevent food poisoning and also to take the necessary precautions in case of long power cuts.
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