The New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) has urged residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses as temperatures in the state continue to rise. The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures exceeding 100°F in southern New Mexico and 95°F or higher in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Farmington. This heat wave is expected to last through the end of August.

"We continue to see an increase in heat illnesses in New Mexico. Since April 1 there have been over 750 heat-related visits to emergency departments around the state," said Srikanth Paladugu, Bureau Chief of NMHealth Environmental Health Epidemiology. "Protect yourself and others when it’s hot outside by doing what you can to stay cool and hydrated and be able to recognize heat-related illness symptoms when you see them."

Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include:

NMHealth recommends several precautions, especially for high-risk groups such as outdoor workers, young children and infants, adults over 65 years old, and individuals with chronic health conditions or without access to air conditioning.

More information can be found on NM-Tracking – Heat Related Illness, where a recently released dashboard provides current data on heat-related emergency department visits and deaths. The National Weather Service HeatRisk map and the NWS-CDC HeatRisk tool also offer forecasts of heat-related impacts.

For additional information about this press release, contact David Morgan at 575-528-5197 (Office) or 575-649-0754 (Mobile).

En un esfuerzo para hacer que nuestros comunicados de prensa sean más accesibles, también tenemos disponibles una versión en español. Por favor presione el enlace de abajo para acceder a la traducción.

Manténgase a salvo; manténgase fresco. Se emite un aviso por calor para la mayor parte del estado