Heatwave 'could kill thousands'

Climate change could lead to a heatwave in the South East of England immediately killing 3,000 people, a study has found.

A Health Protection Agency and Department of Health report said that by 2010 there will be a 1-in-40 chance that the region will experience a serious heat wave.

The study, published on Tuesday, examined the possible impact of climate change should it continue unabated.

It said that while the UK was adapting well to rising temperatures experiences since the 1970s, the country faces an increased risk of flooding.

The number of people at risk from floods is set to rise from 1.5 million to 3.5 million by 2100, it said.

The panel of experts behind the report also warned that malaria could return to the South East in the next 50-100 years.

Outbreaks are likely to be rare and easily controlled, it said, but authorities need to prepare for larger outbreaks in continental Europe and the emergence of more deadly strains of mosquitoes in wetland areas.

The study also concluded that tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, are likely to become more common due to changes in land management and as people spend more time outside.

Food poisoning cases are expected to rise by 14,000, or 14.5 per cent.

Increased exposure to sunlight will lead to a rise in skin cancers, while winter deaths will continue to decline as the climate warms.

Robert Maynard of the HPA said: "Climate change is likely to be one of the major challenges that humanity faces this century.

"It is important that we assess the possible health impact and take any actions that could minimise the consequences."

The report will form the basis of the HPA's response to a recent request for information from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, which is studying how to adapt the UK to climate change.