With temperatures across the country hitting 40 degrees Celsius, the Public Health Ministry yesterday issued a warning advising people to stay indoors and avoid getting a heat stroke – a lifethreatening condition that claimed seven lives over the past two years.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said exposure to heat could result in abnormally high body temperature, sometimes exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, which increases the of dying by 17 to 70 per cent.

Youngsters, the elderly and people with chronic diseases could develop severe symptoms such as high body temperature, palpitations, asthma, confusion and heat exhaustion.

According to the Public Health Ministry’s records, five people have become ill from heat stroke this year. Heat strokes killed four people and made 80 ill in 2008, while about 32 people were diagnosed with heat stroke in 2009. Last year, eight soldiers were also admitted to hospital for heat stroke and three died.

The Nation