This summer's relentless heat has killed a woman in Christchurch, sparking warnings about the dangers of hyperthermia. Photo / 123RF
This summer's relentless heat has killed a woman in Christchurch, sparking warnings about the dangers of hyperthermia. Photo / 123RF
Health authorities are warning people to take extra care in the heat over the next week, following the death of a Christchurch woman with multiple sclerosis on Wednesday.
Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall ruled that the woman had died of hyperthermia, on a day where Christchurch hit 32C.
"I feelit is important to remind people of the dangers of overheating due to the high temperatures expected in the coming days and to take all necessary precautions," Marshall said.
Neil Woodhams, vice president of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand, said anyone with MS is generally well aware of the dangers of heat.
"People with MS suffer from high heat to a greater extent than the normal population," he said. "It tends to make their limbs less able to work, and it increases fatigue."
"It's all of the normal things people ought to do to keep cool, but it's just more important that people with multiple sclerosis do it - having cold drinks, ice packs, staying in the shade, using air conditioning if you've got it," he said.
"It's particularly important that people with multiple sclerosis take the usual steps to keep as cool as possible over the next few days because there's a pattern of very high temperatures coming up."
Research from Australia - where temperatures regularly rocket past 40C - has found increasing body temperature by less than half a degree can cause worsening of neurological symptoms in people with MS.
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey said older people, children and those with underlying medical conditions are most at risk from the impacts of heat stress.
Extreme heat could affect blood pressure and hydration, Humphrey said. He urged people to seek help if they felt dizzy, weak or had intense thirst or a headache.
The MetService has predicted Queenstown, Wanaka and Alexandra could reach "heatwave status" by Sunday, meaning the maximum temperature will have been 5C hotter than normal for five days in a row.
Niwa warned temperatures could possibly approach 40C next week.
The North Canterbury town of Waiau recorded a high of 37 degrees on Thursday - the warmest temperature recorded in New Zealand in almost seven years.
Judge Deborah Marshall, the Chief Coroner, is warning vulnerable people need to take extra care during the impending heatwave. File photo / Michael Craig
Civil Defence tips for those at risk from extreme heat
1. Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty.
2. Replace salt and minerals through drinking fruit juice or sports drinks.
3. Stay indoors near air conditioning - a fan may not help much if it's over 35C. Try sitting a fan in front of a bowl of ice and wet your skin with a damp cloth, or hang out in a shopping mall or public library.
4. Take a cold shower or bath, but avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly and very young people.
5. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and a hat when outside.
6. Wear sunscreen - sunburn reduces your body's ability to cool itself.
7. Never leave anyone alone in closed vehicles. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle in the sun can reach 60C in minutes.
8. Visit at-risk adults at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
