Amidst the onset of a heatwave, the Médio Tejo Local Health Unit (ULS MT) issued an orange public health alert on Friday.
The alert pertains to forecasts of extremely high temperatures in the coming days, ULS MT explained in a note on Facebook, indicating the possibility of escalating the alert to red.
“According to meteorological projections, Saturday, June 29, may see temperatures exceeding 38º centigrade in our region, which could necessitate raising the alert to the red level—the most severe in public health response,” the statement reads.
ULS Médio Tejo notes that this situation “represents a scenario of extreme heat with increased health risks, especially among the elderly (particularly those living alone or in isolated areas), infants and young children, people with chronic diseases, bedridden or dependent individuals, and outdoor workers.”
“Prolonged exposure to extremely high temperatures can cause serious complications such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, or decompensation of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, renal or respiratory insufficiency.” The elderly, due to their fragility, are particularly vulnerable—especially those living alone or without a close family support network,” the note further states.
For these reasons, ULS Médio Tejo urges the community to be attentive to family members, neighbors, or acquaintances in isolation and refer them to local authorities or via the SNS24 line – 808 24 24 24, allowing for timely preventive response. Furthermore, it issues the following recommendations:
- Avoid direct sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.;
- Enhance hydration with water or natural fruit juices without sugar—even if not thirsty;
- Keep medications below 25°C (they may be refrigerated if necessary);
- Avoid physical exertion and unnecessary travel;
- Protect the elderly by ideally ensuring their stay in cool spaces or accompanied by family members;
- Outdoor workers should take frequent breaks, seek shade, and reinforce sun protection;
- Participants in outdoor events (festivals, fairs, processions) should stay hydrated and seek cool areas whenever possible.
Due to the hot weather, 12 districts in mainland Portugal will be under an orange alert this weekend, the second most severe on a three-level scale issued by IPMA whenever there is a “moderate to high meteorological risk situation.”
Portalegre, Setúbal, Évora, Beja, and Faro will be under orange alert starting at midnight on Saturday. They will be joined by Lisbon, Santarém, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Viseu, Bragança, and Vila Real (currently under yellow alert) starting Sunday.
Four municipalities in the Central region and Algarve are under maximum fire risk alert on Friday. According to IPMA calculations, the fire risk will increase in the coming days, alongside rising temperatures.
Lusa | 07:15 – 27/06/2025
ULS Médio Tejo comprises Hospital Dr. Manoel Constâncio, Abrantes, Hospital Nossa Senhora da Graça, Tomar, Hospital Rainha Santa Isabel, Torres Novas, and 35 Primary Healthcare Functional Units, serving approximately 170,000 residents in the municipalities of Abrantes, Alcanena, Constância, Entroncamento, Ferreira do Zêzere, Mação, Sardoal, Tomar, Torres Novas, Vila Nova da Barquinha, and Vila de Rei.
