Health warnings as heatwave hits region

A WOMAN, aged 83, has died of heatstroke in Alicante.
She was admitted to the Hospital San Juan with a temperature of over 40 degrees and unconscious.  
Her death comes as the Valencia Region sweltered in temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius last week. The heatwave saw the town of Xativa reach 45.9 degrees last week, the highest value recorded in Spain since August 2012, according to provisional data from State Agency of Meteorology (AEMET).
Temperatures above 40 degrees were also achieved in other inland towns of the province of Valencia including Ontinyent (44 degrees), Carcaixent (43 degrees) and Utiel (41 degrees).
The heatwave in Alicante Province was reflected in Aspe and Pego where 44 degrees was the top temperature, and at Alicante-Elche Airport where 41 degrees was registered, the second highest since records began.
In Orihuela temperatures reached 42.1 degrees, in Pinoso 40 degrees, 39 in Javea and 37 in the city of Alicante.
The Saharan air has subsided slightly now but temperatures are still peaking at 32-34 degrees on the coast and higher inland.
There have been four recent cases of heatstroke with victims admitted to hospital, and the Department of Health has advised that those most at risk during extremely hot temperatures are children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases who take regular medication.
Their advice is to drink plenty of water and fluids, avoid alcohol and caffeine, eat lots of fruit and vegetables and avoid going outside, as far as possible, in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest.