Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Exceptionally hot and humid weather conditions settled over Jordan, sending mercury levels shooting up over 40 celsius and prompting health officials to issue warnings to the public to protect against the sweltering summer heat sweeping the region.

The Ministry of Health warned of sunstrokes that may result from exposure to the sun, especially the elderly, children and people who are chronically ill.

Jordan Meteorological Department said that a heat wave coming from the Indian Continent is to be blamed for the soaring temperatures.

The ministry's spokesperson, Hatem Alazraei, Sunday said in a statement that the ministry had issued heat advisories and precautions about summer-related illnesses.

He added that the precautions focus on the most common summer diseases in terms of causes, modes of transmission and ways of prevention in order to preserve residents' health and safety.

Malek Habashneh, director of the Health Ministry’s awareness department, indicated that heat strokes are the most common in the case of high temperatures. These occur after direct exposure to sunlight and exercising physical effort in a dry weather and the loss of a large amount of water and salts that may lead to dehydration.

He noted that sunstroke symptoms include high body temperature, disorientation, fainting, rapid heart rate and unconsciousness, adding that "while awaiting medical attention to move the patient to a shaded area, remove his/her outer clothing and shoes and wrap the person in a wet towel".