BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed the state's eighth heat-related death this year and is urging people to watch out for their neighbors as extreme heat continues across the state.

LDH said seven of those eight deaths were people 65 or older.

From 2023 through 2025, LDH says it recorded 172 heat-related deaths. People 65 and older accounted for 38 percent of those deaths while making up roughly 19 percent of the state's population.

About 60 percent of the people who died were in a residence, and 15 percent had no or limited air conditioning, health officials said.

Older adults may not adjust as well to sudden temperature changes, LDH said. Chronic conditions can complicate the body's response to heat, and some prescription medicines can affect temperature control, sweating or hydration.

"These deaths are preventable," LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein said. "Check that the older adults in your life have water, working air conditioning or another cool place to go and someone checking on them. Hydrate. Find shade or a cool indoor space. Rest. Those simple steps can save a life."

Health officials said families, neighbors and caregivers should check on older adults at least twice a day during periods of extreme heat. They should confirm the older adult has water, a cool place to stay and is not showing signs of heat stress, which include a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, heavy sweating or unusual thirst. LDH also recommends that a health care professional or pharmacist explain how medicines may affect heat tolerance.

Residents should also take extra care to protect children from the heat, LDH said, especially as school starts back up with carpools, recess, marching band and after-school practices. Adults should remind children to drink water regularly, take breaks and speak up if they feel dizzy, weak, nauseated or unusually hot.

LDH also warned that a vehicle can quickly become dangerous. Adults should never leave a child in a parked vehicle, even briefly or with a window open.

Health officials say to take a break from whatever you are doing at the first signs of heat illness and move to a cool or shaded place while frequently sipping on cool water.

Confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures or a very high body temperature may indicate heat stroke and 911 should be called immediately.

Vibrio cases have also increased recently due to extreme heat, LDH said. Nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported among Louisiana residents so far in 2026. All nine patients were hospitalized and five died.

LDH also notes that Cyclosporiasis can cause dehydration, which worsens symptoms of heat illness. Staying up to date on recalls, washing all fresh food before eating and storing food properly can help reduce that risk.