A severe heat wave in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo León claimed 36 lives, according to the state’s Ministry of Health. At a public briefing, Alma Rosa Marroquín, head of the ministry, stated that most fatalities were attributed to heat stroke and affected primarily men aged 60 and older, many of whom had preexisting health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. The ministry confirmed that the count of deaths documented in the state surveillance system stands at 36, with the official cause of death listed on death certificates as heat stroke. The population most at risk remains older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses who faced extreme temperatures during the period in question (Attribution: Nuevo León Ministry of Health).
The ministry emphasized that the 36 deaths were recorded based on official death certificates detailing heat stroke as the direct cause. The information reflects the conclusions drawn from the state’s health records and mortality data, rather than unofficial tallies (Attribution: Nuevo León Ministry of Health).
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Officials in Nuevo León have not provided further commentary on discrepancies in death counts. The body responsible for forensic work, the State Forensic Medicine Institute (Semefo), faced operational challenges during the period of peak heat, prompting questions about workload and capacity (Attribution: State authorities).
Earlier in the week, the deputy prosecutor of the Nuevo León Prosecutor General’s Office reported what he called an unusual increase in deaths tied to the heat, as authorities processed an unusually high number of cases at Semefo. In addition to the heat, temperatures reached up to the mid-40s Celsius on the hottest days. The Civil Registry confirmed that around 850 death certificates referenced heat-related causes; however, official statements from the state government indicated that this figure did not come from a single authority and should not be viewed as definitive (Attribution: Nuevo León authorities).
Bystanders described delays in the delivery of loved ones’ remains to families, with some families reporting waits of several days at the University Hospital facility where Semefo operates. There were reports that refrigerated transport units were employed to manage overflow as the system tried to cope with the surge in cases. The conditions described were reminiscent of strains faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating how heat-related surge periods can stress forensic and hospital services alike (Attribution: Local authorities).
Autopsies conducted on the deceased under the care of the Forensic Medicine Service indicated that the vast majority succumbed to acute myocardial infarction, a diagnosis consistent with heat-related cardiovascular stress in vulnerable individuals (Attribution: Forensic Medicine Service). This finding aligns with medical understanding that extreme heat can precipitate cardiac events, particularly among older adults with preexisting health issues. Authorities emphasized that the data reflect clinical assessments performed during the emergency and are subject to ongoing review as new information becomes available (Attribution: Forensic Medicine Service).