Ishita Roy

Cold Alert In UK: What Does It Mean For The People?

Cold Alert in UK

The <span>UK Health</span> Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office UK issued an amber "Cold Health Alert" amid the rising deaths due to extreme cold conditions. The authority issued this alert across country as "forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services".

As per UKHSA, the falling temperature increases risk for those over 65 and may also impact on the younger age groups. Given this, the temperature inside hospitals, care homes, and clinics could also drop below the levels recommended for assessing health risks. Temperatures are set to fall to as low as 0C in the southern parts of England. Earlier, the alert was to be expired on Sunday, however, it has now been extended till Tuesday 09:00 GMT. 

<h4>What does weather alert mean for health?</h4>

The weather alert service warns the public in England when high or low temperatures, in its extreme, could damage their health. This system was originally introduced in June 2023, by UKHSA and the Met Office. 

Usually, cold-health alerts are issued between November and March, and the heat alerts between June and September. The alerts also tell the government and the healthcare professional to gear up for the incoming patients and to prepare the institutions to avoid burden. It helps one predict the weather conditions, provides details of how the weather could affect the region and links additional information, advice and guidance. 

At this point, the UKHSA has issued Amber alert, the level of alert is based on Met Office forecasts and data. These includes four levels, from green (least severe) to red (most severe).

<strong>Green:</strong> This is normal level. This is issued to advice people on how to prepare for certain temperature rise or fall. 

<strong>Yellow:</strong> It is used when periods of cold or heat is likely to affect only particular vulnerable, for instance, elderly, or those with comorbidities. 

<strong>Amber: </strong>These are issued in situations where the entire population could be at risk, and travel could be disrupted. 

<strong>Red: </strong>This is in severe cases where there is a significant risk to life, even to healthy population. 

<h4>Cold Weather and Its Impact On Health</h4>

Flu and other <span>diseases</span> that cause colds and sore throats spread easily during this weather. They are contagious and infectious, and the cases surge during the winter months. Furthermore, pneumonia too is another disease that causes lung inflammation. 

UK has already been battling with norovirus, with kids being infected. Recently, households have also been advised to<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/norovirus-outbreak-in-uk-boil-wash-your-clothes-and-bedding-to-prevent-virus-spread-article-151119404" data-type="tilCustomLink"> boil wash</a> their clothing and beddings to prevent the spread. Norovirus, due to its extremity and surge of cases in the winter month is also known as the winter vomiting bug. 

Furthermore, there is a <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/birmingham-struggles-with-4-different-virus-hits-know-what-they-are-article-151108413" data-type="tilCustomLink">quad-demic type situation in the UK</a>, with the country dealing with norovirus, RSV, common cold and flu and COVID-19. 

More so, as the temperature drops, the blood flow to brain also falls, and blood pressure and heart rate increases. The temperature of arms, legs and head also drops and it could also impact a person's cognitive abilities. As per an experiment by Professor Damian Bailey from the University of South Wales, 18C, is the body's tipping point. Below that, the body has to work really hard to maintain its core temperature. This is also one of the reasons why heart attacks are common during the winter months.

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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office UK issued an amber "Cold Health Alert" amid the rising deaths due to extreme cold conditions. The authority issued this alert across country as "forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services".As per UKHSA, the falling temperature increases risk for those over 65 and may also impact on the younger age groups. Given this, the temperature inside hospitals, care homes, and clinics could also drop below the levels recommended for assessing health risks. Temperatures are set to fall to as low as 0C in the southern parts of England. Earlier, the alert was to be expired on Sunday, however, it has now been extended till Tuesday 09:00 GMT. What does weather alert mean for health?The weather alert service warns the public in England when high or low temperatures, in its extreme, could damage their health. This system was originally introduced in June 2023, by UKHSA and the Met Office. Usually, cold-health alerts are issued between November and March, and the heat alerts between June and September. The alerts also tell the government and the healthcare professional to gear up for the incoming patients and to prepare the institutions to avoid burden. It helps one predict the weather conditions, provides details of how the weather could affect the region and links additional information, advice and guidance. Four Levels Of AlertAt this point, the UKHSA has issued Amber alert, the level of alert is based on Met Office forecasts and data. These includes four levels, from green (least severe) to red (most severe).Green: This is normal level. This is issued to advice people on how to prepare for certain temperature rise or fall. Yellow: It is used when periods of cold or heat is likely to affect only particular vulnerable, for instance, elderly, or those with comorbidities. Amber: These are issued in situations where the entire population could be at risk, and travel could be disrupted. Red: This is in severe cases where there is a significant risk to life, even to healthy population. Cold Weather and Its Impact On HealthFlu and other diseases that cause colds and sore throats spread easily during this weather. They are contagious and infectious, and the cases surge during the winter months. Furthermore, pneumonia too is another disease that causes lung inflammation. UK has already been battling with norovirus, with kids being infected. Recently, households have also been advised to boil wash their clothing and beddings to prevent the spread. Norovirus, due to its extremity and surge of cases in the winter month is also known as the winter vomiting bug. Furthermore, there is a quad-demic type situation in the UK, with the country dealing with norovirus, RSV, common cold and flu and COVID-19. More so, as the temperature drops, the blood flow to brain also falls, and blood pressure and heart rate increases. The temperature of arms, legs and head also drops and it could also impact a person's cognitive abilities. As per an experiment by Professor Damian Bailey from the University of South Wales, 18C, is the body's tipping point. Below that, the body has to work really hard to maintain its core temperature. This is also one of the reasons why heart attacks are common during the winter months.