RALEIGH — Health officials across North America are reporting increases in heat-related illnesses as a prolonged heat wave brings dangerous temperatures, elevated humidity and limited overnight cooling across parts of the United States and Canada.
Emergency departments and public health agencies have recorded rising cases of heat exhaustion, dehydration and other heat-related conditions as communities face periods of extreme heat. In North Carolina, state health officials reported hundreds of heat-related emergency department visits during a late June and early July period, with the weekly rate increasing as heat index values reached more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said more than 1,800 people had visited emergency rooms for heat-related illness from May 1 through June 28, 2026, exceeding the average recorded during the same period in previous years. State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore warned that heat illness can affect people of all ages and said early recognition of symptoms is important to prevent serious complications.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said extreme heat can overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate temperature, potentially causing serious illness or death. The agency tracks heat-related illness trends nationwide and identifies extreme heat as a major public health risk.
Meteorologists have warned that the current heat pattern has produced unusually high daytime temperatures and warm nights in several regions. The National Weather Service has said persistent overnight heat can increase health risks because the body has less opportunity to recover from daytime exposure, particularly among older adults and people with existing health conditions.
Health authorities have urged residents to remain hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat hours and check on vulnerable people, including older adults, young children and those without reliable access to cooling. Officials have also highlighted risks for outdoor workers, who face prolonged exposure while performing physically demanding tasks.
In Canada, public health officials have issued heat warnings as parts of the country experience high temperatures alongside other environmental pressures, including wildfire smoke that has affected air quality in several regions. Officials have advised residents to monitor local alerts and reduce exposure during hazardous conditions.
Authorities said additional health data will become available as hospitals and surveillance systems continue reporting cases from the heat wave. Public health agencies are continuing to monitor emergency visits and issue safety guidance as high temperatures persist.
