Aug 08 (NHK) - More than 70,000 people have been taken to hospitals across Japan since late April with symptoms of heatstroke.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency says the number is the largest on record for a single year.
The Agency says 71,266 people were rushed to hospital between the end of April and last Sunday. The number is nearly double that of a similar period last year.
The figure has already surpassed the previous record of more than 58,000 between June and September 2013.
The Agency also says, in the week through Sunday, more than 13,000 people were taken to hospital due to heatstroke.
Thirteen of them died, and more than 4,300 people were admitted.
Nearly half of those taken to hospital were aged 65 or older.
The internal affairs ministry advises people to use air conditioners properly and to keep well hydrated. Officials warn that elderly people need to take special care, as they can become dehydrated without realizing.
They are also asking people to call an ambulance quickly if they see someone having a seizure or losing consciousness.
Source: ANNnewsCH
