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AI-DRAFTED — PHYSICIAN REVIEW IN PROGRESSThe citation for this entry was checked against Crossref and PubMed, but its summary and interpretation were drafted by an AI model from the published abstract and have not yet been individually read by a physician. Read the linked source before relying on this operationally.
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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Heat-Related Illness Among Pilgrims During the Hajj Season 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study[1]

Elfaki EA, Sembawa HA, Alamodi AHB, et al; Al-Tawfiq JA, Khan AA · 2026 · J Epidemiol Glob Health

Summary

Cross-sectional registry study across nine Makkah/Mashaer facilities during the 2024 Hajj (the deadly heatwave season): of 2,551 complete records, 1,576 met criteria for heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Cohort: 74.3% male, 49.2% aged >=60, 90% non-Saudi, and 69.4% with NO prior heat-illness history. Presentations: altered mental status 40.3%, dizziness 30.8%. Management: emergency cooling in 70.1%, IV fluids 36.1%. Overall mortality 4.9% (77 deaths); ICU admission and elevated lactate were associated with poor outcomes. Concludes early recognition, timely intervention, targeted education for high-risk groups, and frontline resource deployment are essential.

So what

The clinical-scale epidemiology of the 2024 Hajj heat disaster — 1,576 confirmed HRI cases and 77 deaths in one season across nine facilities — and the definitive companion to the Lancet correspondence (nashwan) and the small ICU cohort (aldardeer). Three planning facts stand out: half the casualties were >=60 (the elderly-pilgrim risk core), 40% arrived with altered mental status (heatstroke territory, not exhaustion), and 69% had no prior HRI history (past tolerance predicts nothing). The 4.9% mortality is the citable case-fatality anchor for the heat domain. Free full text via PMC.

Key findings

  • 1,576 confirmed HRI cases, 9 facilities, 2024 Hajj; mortality 4.9% (77 deaths)
  • 49.2% of casualties aged >=60; 90% international pilgrims
  • 40.3% presented with altered mental status - heatstroke-range acuity
  • 69.4% had no prior HRI history - prior tolerance not protective
  • Emergency cooling in 70.1%; ICU admission and high lactate marked poor outcomes

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