Jamaicans Urged to Take Precautions Because of Rising Heat in Jamaica

Reporter: Carla Ramdeen

 

With Jamaica experiencing increasingly high temperatures, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is warning that excessive heat poses a serious public health risk and is urging Jamaicans to take steps to prevent heat related illnesses, including heat stroke.

 

Jamaica is experiencing a hotter than usual summer with soaring temperatures affecting communities across the island.

 

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tuftton says the high temperatures are consistent with the effects of climate change. He notes that heat related deaths have been reported in other countries, but there have been no such reports in Jamaica to date.

 

Tufton said, “It's all the more reason why we have to be cautious. So we say to people, especially older people, older persons, persons with chronic illnesses, that they must avoid direct sun um heat and they must hydrate as much as possible. And I want to tell many who would listen hydration doesn't mean once it's a fluid it will hydrate you.”

 

He continued, “If you drink alcohol an energy drink or drink strong sugary drink the hydration effect is going to be sub-optimum.”

 

 

 Meteorologist Javoy Sawyers says the intense heat is being driven by the above average sea surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic combined with more frequent incursions of the Sahara dust into the region.

 

He explains that these conditions are contributing to hotter days and warmer than normal temperatures.

 

“So, we're expecting a general warmer than average temperature across much of well all of the island, particularly expecting more of an increase in the overnight lows. Expecting the lows not to be as low as usual. Normally the lows would be around 24, 23, 22° and we're looking at lows around 26/27 in some instances 28° which is quite warm for overnight

temperatures.”

 

Meanwhile, medical doctor Lucian Jones says the extreme heat can result in serious heat related illnesses, including heat stroke, which can be fatal. He's urging Jamaicans to stay indoors when possible and keep well hydrated.

 

Dr Jones also recommends that children engage in outdoor activities early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce their exposure to high temperatures.

 

“It's hot in for Jamaica. Lots of people are having to be using air conditioner at night just to get some relief. We need to be careful just as careful as they are warning people now in Western Europe. Not because we live in a tropical country and we're accustomed to heat. We can take it lightly. People can get heat stroke. We need to be well hydrated and stay out of the sun. especially those neighbours who work outside.”