Newsroom
The scorching temperatures gripping Cyprus aren't just making people uncomfortable; they're also sending more of them to the hospital.
Public hospital emergency departments are reporting a noticeable increase in patients as the island continues to bake under the recent heatwave, with doctors treating everything from dehydration and heat exhaustion to twisted ankles and food poisoning.
According to Charalambos Charilaou, spokesperson for the State Health Services Organisation (OKYpY), emergency departments have seen a rise in both patient visits and hospital admissions in recent days.
Part of the increase is seasonal.
With more people heading to the beaches, hiking trails, and holiday destinations, coastal towns are seeing a surge in visitors, while the influx of tourists is also adding pressure to emergency services.
"The high temperatures, combined with outdoor activities at the sea and in the mountains, are leading to more people seeking medical attention," Charilaou said.
The most common cases include heat exhaustion, dehydration, cuts and injuries from slipping on rocks, sprained ankles, and other minor limb injuries.
Doctors are also seeing more cases of gastroenteritis, a common summer illness often linked to food that has spoiled in the heat.
Charilaou warned that food and drinks can quickly become unsafe if they are not stored at the correct temperature, increasing the risk of stomach bugs and gastrointestinal problems.
While patients of all ages are turning up at emergency departments, hospitals say the people most at risk remain young children, older adults, and those with heart or lung conditions, who can become seriously unwell much faster in extreme heat.
Health officials are urging people not to underestimate the temperatures.
Their advice is simple: stay indoors or in the shade during the hottest hours of the day, use air conditioning where possible, drink plenty of water to replace fluids lost through sweating, and wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
The warning comes as Cyprus continues to experience another intense summer, with prolonged periods of extreme heat placing increasing pressure not only on the electricity grid but also on the island's healthcare system.
