‘Don’t stay outdoors’: Health ministry guidance on African dust

Recommendations for protection from African dust have been issued by the Ministry of Health.

These are instructions for people at increased risk who should avoid any physical exercise-activity outdoors due to African dust, specifically in:

• People with respiratory problems
• Heart patients
• children as well
• people over 65 years old

It is also recommended to avoid staying outdoors, especially in areas with increased traffic.

People with asthma may need more frequent inhalations of reliever medicine. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to contact the attending physician.

African dust: Recommendations in the general population

Every person is advised to avoid any physical exercise outdoors and to limit the time spent outdoors especially in areas with increased traffic.

During his stay indoors, doors, balcony doors and windows should be kept closed.

On Wednesday, the turn of the winds to the west will result in the limitation of dust in the Dodecanese and its progressive removal to the east.

The forecast maps of the National Observatory of Athens below show:

• With red shades the concentration of dust in the atmosphere during the midday and evening hours of Tuesday 23/04.
• With yellow shades the areas where mud rains will occur during the same time intervals.

Detailed weather forecast

Clouds are expected throughout the country. Rains will occur mainly in the western, central and northern parts. Storms are expected in the west and especially in the northwest where the effects will be more intense and may be accompanied by hail.

The temperature will vary in Western Macedonia from 6 to 16 degrees, in the rest of Macedonia from 12 to 19, in Thrace from 14 to 25-26 degrees, in Western Greece from 14 to 27-29, in Thessaly from 13 to 23-24 degrees , in the rest of the mainland from 15 to 25-27 degrees, in the Ionian Islands from 16 to 26 and in the island parts of the Aegean from 15 to 25 degrees, but in the Eastern Aegean the maximum will reach 27-29 degrees and in Crete 32-33 Celsius degrees.

The winds in the seas will blow from southeast directions with intensities that will generally reach 6 Beaufort, while in the South Ionian, wind intensities of up to 7 Beaufort are expected locally and in the South and Eastern Aegean 7-8 Beaufort locally. Progressively, the winds in the Ionian Sea will turn to the northwest with intensities of 5-6 Beaufort.

Attica

In Attica, we expect clouds, with the possibility of temporary light rains. Dust concentrations in the atmosphere will be relatively high. The winds will blow southeast with intensities of 4-5 Beaufort, turning in the evening to west-northwest with the same intensities. The temperature will range from 17 to 25 degrees.

Thessaloniki

In Thessaloniki we expect rains at times and relatively increased concentrations of dust. Winds will blow from changing directions with intensities of 3-4 Beaufort. The temperature will range from 13 to 19 degrees.

Doctors warn about African dust

At the same time, doctors draw attention to people with an already burdened history. “Clearly, the presence of increased dust particles causes various problems both in the respiratory and cardiovascular in the sense that it stimulates the development of inflammation in systems that are already suffering, resulting in flare-ups”, said Sofia Pourikis, pulmonologist and intensivist of the ICU ” Salvation”.

It would be good, until the phenomenon goes away, for people with respiratory and cardiovascular problems to limit their movements. “At this stage, people who have some chronic problems should be careful. We mean that they should avoid being outdoors, especially during the day, and stay indoors as much as possible,” Sofia Pouriki added.

And if the dust clears for a while, it looks like it will be back starting next week. The African dust will subside from Thursday, but for two more days people dealing with underlying illnesses should be extra careful.