WHO issues manual on preventing and managing heat-related illness at mass gatherings

30 September 2026

On 30 September 2026 WHO published the 120-page manual 'Prevention and management of heat-related illness at mass gatherings: considerations for implementation'. It treats extreme heat as a growing health, safety and operational risk for large public events. It sets out three health risk management phases: preparation, impact mitigation and recovery. A separate Risk Assessment Tool spreadsheet accompanies the manual. It applies where access to safe water, cooling, transport or medical care is limited.