Srinagar, Dec 14: The National Program on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GoI) has issued a public health advisory on cold wave, frost asking people to take precautions.
As per the advisory, there are 17 States/UTs from north, northwest, east, and central India that are in ‘Core Cold Wave Zone’ and experience the highest number of cold waves/severe cold waves including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
It said the maximum numbers of cold waves occur in Jammu and Kashmir followed by Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
The advisory said that homeless, elderly, economically disadvantaged, disabled, pregnant or lactating mothers, women, children, outdoor workers, managers of night shelters, farmers are vulnerable.
About the health impact of cold waves, the advisory said extreme cold may lead to injuries and death if precautionary measures are not taken on proper time.
“Exposure to intense cold may lead to Hypothermia, Frostbite, and other non-freezing peripheral cold injuries like immersion (trench) foot and chilblain (pernio),” it said.
As per the advisory, older adults with inadequate food, clothing, or heating, babies sleeping in cold bedrooms, people who remain outdoors for long periods—the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc., people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs are vulnerable to hypothermia.
It advised people that if you see a person with hypothermia signs get medical attention immediately and try to warm the person up.
“Get the person into a warm room. Warm the person’s body with skin-to-skin contact, dry layers of blankets, clothes, towels, or sheets. Give warm drinks to help increase body temperature, but do not give alcoholic drinks,” the advisory said.
“Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person. After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrap their body, including their head and neck, in a warm blanket. Get the person proper medical attention as soon as possible,” it added.
The advisory said a person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In that case, handle the person gently, and get emergency assistance immediately.
About frostbite it said it is a type of injury caused by freezing and leads to a loss of feeling and colour in the areas it affects, usually extremities such as the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. “Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and in severe cases can lead to amputation (removing the affected body part),” it said.
It further said that individuals with poor circulation, individuals not dressed properly for extreme cold temperature are vulnerable to frostbite.
Redness of skin or pain in an area that is exposed/unexposed in cold weather may be a symptom or beginning of frostbite.
“A person who has frostbite may not know they have it until someone else points it out because the frozen parts of their body are numb. If you notice signs of frostbite on you or someone else, seek medical care,” the advisory said.
