WHO Issues New Heat-Safety Guide for Sporting, Religious and Cultural Events

The World Health Organization has issued new guidance to help governments and event organisers prevent and manage heat-related illness at major sporting, religious and cultural gatherings. The guidance recommends early risk assessment, access to safe drinking water and toilets, cooling facilities, schedule changes, crowd-flow management and well-prepared on-site medical teams. It also calls for real-time health surveillance, public communication and protection for workers. WHO said an evidence review recorded nearly 500,000 medical encounters at mass gatherings between 1980 and 2025, including more than 22,000 heat-related illnesses. More than 90 per cent of patients could be treated at event venues where medical systems were properly organised. The agency warned that rising global temperatures are increasing heat risks, especially where people face prolonged outdoor exposure, crowded venues and limited access to water or medical care.

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