Key Points

• A prolonged and intense heat wave, with a severity level close to or equivalent to that of 2003, has settled over France.
• Météo-France placed Ille-et-Vilaine under a yellow heat wave alert on Thursday, June 18. On Sunday, June 21, all departments in Brittany were placed under an orange heat wave alert. Since Monday, June 22, the 6 a.m. alert map has placed all departments in Brittany under a red heat wave alert.
• A regional analysis of emergency care utilization shows an increase in the composite health indicator iCanicule1 since the start of week 25 (June 15–21), and more notably since June 21. This trend shows higher fluctuations than those observed in previous seasons. However, the figures are on par with those recorded in late May, around the time of the season’s first heat wave.
• Ille-et-Vilaine and Finistère are the hardest-hit departments.
• Heat poses a health risk to the entire population. The observed health impacts underscore the importance of implementing preventive measures to mitigate the effects of the heat.