Italy braces itself for intense heatwave as red alert warnings issued

Under the 'bollino rosso' alert, the highest warning level, authorities say everyone is exposed to the risks caused by extreme temperatures.

Transcript

00:00On Wednesday, Italy's health ministry issued a red alert warning for 22 cities, making

00:08the days leading up to the public holiday of Ferragosto on the 15th of August among

00:12the hottest this summer.

00:14Under the Bolino Rosso alert, the highest warning level, everyone is exposed to the

00:18risks caused by extreme temperatures.

00:20People are urged to avoid direct exposure to sunlight during the hottest hours and stay

00:25hydrated.

00:26The Lazio region, which includes the capital Rome, has issued an emergency plan to tackle

00:30the effects of heat waves on people's health.

00:33In some cases, there has been an increase in the number of emergency care treatments

00:37for heat-related illnesses.

00:39Several hospitals' emergency departments have activated a special protocol which prioritizes

00:44admission for patients suffering from health issues caused by the heat.

00:50Among these patients in a country with a large population of over 65 years old, the majority

00:56are the elderly.

00:57It is quite evident how we are dealing with a high-risk anagraphic band for complications

01:04of various types, species and genres.

01:07The pathologies we see more frequently in this period are characterized, are represented

01:13by worsening of chronic diseases, so heart failure, arrhythmias, infections, worsening

01:22of the renal function, disorders of behaviour.

01:26Working in these extreme weather conditions can be very challenging too.

01:29It's been estimated that every year in Italy there are an average of 4,000 heat-related

01:34injuries in the workplace.

01:36Trade unions, especially in the building sector, have launched a campaign to raise awareness

01:41on the issue.

01:42They urge the government to introduce a new set of rules to protect workers.

01:46Today, health and safety, injuries, etc., must be contextualized to the present moment,

01:51which is a moment characterized, for example, by climate change.

01:56What does it mean to work in the buildings 30 years ago and what does it mean to work

02:00now, for example, from June to September?

02:02An average day of eight hours can be made from six hours, six and a half hours, seven

02:07hours with breaks and a very early summer and maybe eight and a half hours, nine hours

02:16of winter.

02:17Tourists, though, don't seem affected by increased temperatures.

02:21Trade organizations estimate their presence in the summer months is expected to increase

02:26by almost 2% compared to 2023.

02:30Giorgia Orlandi for Euronews in Rome.