Italian heat wave spikes hospital visits and threatens pets

Extreme temperatures across Italy are creating urban heat islands that raise the risk of dehydration, heat‑stroke and other heat‑related illnesses. At Rome’s Bambino Gesù pediatric hospital, about one‑fourth of summer emergency‑room visits are linked to the heat, with 5 % directly caused by heat‑stroke, syncope or severe dehydration and another 20 % involving conditions that worsen in high temperatures, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and chronic illnesses.

Health authorities advise frequent water intake, limiting outdoor activity between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., keeping children and vulnerable adults in cool, shaded environments, and monitoring early signs of heat stress. Similar warnings apply to the elderly, patients with chronic diseases and post‑operative patients.

Animal welfare groups and veterinarians echo the same concerns for pets. PETA and local veterinarians recommend never leaving animals in parked cars, providing shade and fresh water, walking dogs only in the early morning or evening, and protecting paws from hot asphalt. The city of Genoa has temporarily closed non‑air‑conditioned attractions such as the Bigo lift and the Chiossone museum, while opening climate‑controlled public spaces as cooling shelters.

Regional health campaigns, including the ASP Catania’s “E…STATE IN SALUTE! 2026”, disseminate practical guides for hydration, clothing, and symptom awareness for both people and animals.