Public Health Surveillance in the Poitou-Charentes Region. Epidemiological Update as of September 5, 2014.
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Closure of the 2013 Heat Wave and Health Alert System August 31 of each year marks the closure of the Heat Wave and Health Alert System (SACS). Initiated and coordinated since 2004 by the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) in close collaboration with Météo-France, SACS is part of the National Heat Wave Plan (PNC) and activated on June 1 of each year. It is based on the monitoring of two biometeorological indicators: the three-day averages of nighttime temperatures (IBMn) and the three-day averages of daytime temperatures (IBMx). Departmental alert thresholds, which vary depending on local weather conditions, have been established for these indicators and correspond to a significant risk of excess mortality. The alert is issued when these two indicators have a high probability of simultaneously exceeding the alert thresholds. At the same time, in the event of a heat wave, monitoring of health indicators allows for the assessment of potential impacts so that management measures can be adjusted if necessary. This summer, France experienced two brief heat waves: the first on June 8 and 9, during which Météo-France placed 7 departments under a yellow heat warning. The second occurred between July 16 and 19, during which Météo-France placed up to 36 departments under a yellow heat warning, including the 4 departments of Poitou-Charentes. No department in metropolitan France was placed under an orange alert for a heatwave. In Poitou-Charentes, the number of emergency room visits for heat-related conditions (hyperthermia, heatstroke, dehydration, and hyponatremia) remained stable with some fluctuations throughout the SACS monitoring period, and health indicators were at levels typically observed.
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