Southern Nevada heat death toll rises to 46

Southern Nevada heat death toll rises to 46 The Clark County coroner’s bureau reported on Thursday that the region’s heat‑related death toll has climbed to 46, up from 29 deaths listed in a spreadsheet released the previous day. Las Vegas is preparing for highs near 110 degrees through the coming week, and authorities have extended the cooling‑center activation period until Wednesday. In 2021 the coroner’s office broadened its criteria for classifying a death as heat‑related, stating that investigators typically consider heat illness when temperatures exceed 95 degrees. Officials acknowledge that even the most inclusive criteria likely undercount the true number of heat‑linked fatalities. Of the 46 investigations currently underway, the coroner’s office has released details on 41 cases. Clark County spokeswoman Stephanie Wheatley noted that certain medications can increase susceptibility to heat illness, alongside cardiovascular disease, physical exertion, inappropriate clothing, inadequate acclimatization and insufficient fluid intake. Public‑health experts emphasized that risk factors often intersect, with substance use, advanced age and homelessness frequently contributing to vulnerability. The average age of individuals who have died from heat exposure this year is 59. Twelve of the deceased are believed to have been unhoused, and twenty cases are associated with substance or alcohol use.