Europe's heat deaths top 200,000 in four years, WHO warns

More than 200,000 people have died in Europe from heat over the past four years, the World Health Organization said, as the continent endures unusually severe heat waves that have already broken temperature records in May. The figures were presented Thursday in Berlin at an event where WHO launched new guidelines for a system-wide response to extreme heat.

The guidance is meant to help authorities build warning systems, prepare health and welfare services, and protect people at higher risk. Hans Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe, said, "Europe is warming faster than any other continent, and we are paying for it in human lives." He added, "Heat is a silent killer, but it is not inevitable. We have the tools, and now we must use them."

Kluge said most of the deaths could have been prevented, and that the official toll captures only part of the damage. Millions more people are suffering physical and mental effects from extreme heat. The greatest danger is to older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and people with heart disease, kidney disease, and other chronic illnesses.

The WHO said extreme heat can cause dehydration and heatstroke, and can quickly worsen existing medical conditions. It urged people to avoid exposure during the hottest hours, drink plenty of water, and cool their homes, but said individual steps are not enough. Kluge called on governments to adopt coordinated institutional responses, including emergency plans, cooling centers, adjusted working hours, and stronger alert systems. The WHO also said Europe is warming faster than any other region in the world, heat-related death rates there have risen by more than 30% in the past two decades, and heat waves are expected to become more frequent, more intense, and longer lasting.