WHO warns Europe faces "silent killer"

Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average. Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling, World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X.

Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the “once-in-a-generation” heatwave is now occurring nearly annual. We were warned, CE Report informs.

"More than 1300 excess deaths have been recorded since 21 June linked to high temperatures in Europe.

Heat stress is often called the “silent killer” – and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures.

WHO is working with its Member States and partners to address the health threats posed by extreme heat through focusing on preparedness, prevention and stronger health system responses.

In particular, we are encouraging European countries to implement heat health action plans, as part of the broader agenda to protect health against climate change," said in the statement.

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