Abu Dhabi:The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines aimed at preventing and managing heat-related illnesses during mass gatherings. The organization warns that extreme heat presents a growing threat to the health and safety of attendees, as well as to the overall operation of such events.

According to Emirates News Agency, The WHO has identified significant public health and operational risks posed by heat-related illnesses at major sporting, religious, and cultural events. These risks affect not only spectators and attendees but also volunteers and workers. A review of studies from 1980 to 2025 documented nearly half a million medical encounters at mass gatherings, with over 22,000 cases involving heat-related illnesses. Well-organized on-site medical systems successfully treated more than 90 percent of patients at event venues, thereby alleviating pressure on hospitals and ambulance services.

Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, emphasized the increasing threat of extreme heat to health, safety, and operational continuity at mass gatherings. The WHO estimates that heat-related deaths have risen by 63 percent since the 1990s, averaging 546,000 deaths annually between 2012 and 2021.

The new WHO resources, titled "Prevention and Management of Heat-related Illness at Mass Gatherings," recommend several measures. These include providing accessible safe drinking water, implementing cooling infrastructure, making schedule adjustments, managing crowd flow, protecting the workforce, enhancing public communication, conducting real-time surveillance, and ensuring well-prepared on-site medical services.