Despite Scorching Summer, Heat-Related Illnesses Barely Top 2011

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Springfield-Greene County Health Department has wrapped up surveillance of heat-related illness for 2012.

From June 1 through Sept. 3, the department and its partners in the medical community counted 221 instances of heat-related illnesses, including 54 people hospitalized. In 2011, the department tracked 217 cases, including 42 people hospitalized.

Statewide, the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services tracked 1,179 cases of heat-related illness between May 1 and Sept. 10, 2012.

Although the most extreme heat is likely over for the year, hot days could still persist into the fall. When that happens, residents are advised to take the same precautions as they did earlier in the summer including: staying hydrated, taking breaks when necessary and taking advantage of the much cooler temperatures in the morning and evening hours.

The department has also ceased stream testing for the season.

Pollen counts continue through the first hard freeze of the winter season. Pollen and spore counts are collected over a 24-hour period, from 8 a.m. until 8 a.m. the following day. The counts are typically posted online by about 10:30 a.m. each weekday at http://health.springfieldmo.gov/pollen.

The department's lab is a certified pollen counting station accredited by the AmericanAcademy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.