Beijing， July 5th – A Weibo topic， “Wuhan is so hot that even birds are suffering from heatstroke，” has recently captured public attention.
According to media reports， some netizens observed and shared， “Wuhan is extremely hot， causing pigeons to suffer from heatstroke， with passersby assisting them by providing water to cool down.”
It has been clarified that the animal that garnered attention was not a pigeon， but rather a Rufous-bellied Hawk (Accipiter rufiventris). Due to its physical resemblance to a pigeon， it is also referred to as a “pigeon hawk.” Adult birds typically exhibit a grayish-black head and back， with an orange breast and belly， and black wingtips.
Meteorological reports indicate that starting this week， much of the central and eastern regions of China will experience escalating temperatures. Central Henan， central Jiangsu， Zhejiang， and parts of western Hubei are projected to reach or exceed 40℃， with localized extreme heat conditions.
In light of these extreme temperatures， it is crucial to remain vigilant against heatstroke， particularly heatstroke caused by excessive heat exposure (heatstroke). Heatstroke is recognized as the most severe form of heat illness， posing significant health risks with a considerable mortality rate.
This condition arises when the body’s thermoregulatory mechanisms are overwhelmed by prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity. The body’s heat production surpasses its ability to dissipate heat， leading to a rapid and dangerous increase in core body temperature， often exceeding 40℃. Symptoms can include hot， dry skin， altered mental status， confusion， and multi-organ dysfunction， making it a life-threatening medical emergency.
During these oppressive， humid “sauna-like” weather conditions， it is strongly advised to minimize prolonged outdoor activities and strenuous labor. Individuals at higher risk for heatstroke include the elderly， young children， pregnant women， and those who are obese. Maintaining a cool environment， such as using air conditioning， is essential for prevention.
It is also important to maintain adequate hydration and replenish electrolytes daily. Consuming drinks like lightly salted water or mung bean soup can be beneficial. Conversely， it is advisable to avoid alcoholic beverages and drinks with high sugar content， as they can exacerbate dehydration.
