Czech health officials warn of dehydration and water‑borne hazards during heatwave

The State Health Institute cautions that during hot weather Czech residents should avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine and limit sweet or very cold beverages, opting instead for plain water or mineral water in several small servings to reach about two to three litres a day. Over‑drinking can dilute blood minerals, especially sodium, potentially causing brain swelling or heart failure, particularly in people with heart conditions.

Public health inspectors have launched extensive checks of stagnant waters, including ponds, natural swimming areas and, for the first time, mist basins and the Vltava River. Green water and algal blooms indicate the presence of cyanobacteria, which can cause skin rashes, cramps, vomiting or diarrhoea. Parasites such as cercariae, linked to waterfowl, may also bite the skin and cause rashes. One pond, Kachlička in the Vysočina region, is currently closed to swimming. Hygiene teams are advising anyone who has bathed in suspect water to shower promptly and dry thoroughly.

These measures come as heat‑related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat‑induced exhaustion, lead thousands of Czechs to seek medical care each year, burdening the health‑insurance system.