Fever-Related Deaths in Maricopa County Decline This Summer

This summer, the number of fever-related deaths in Maricopa County is reportedly lower than in the previous two years. As of now, there have been 35 confirmed deaths, with 369 cases still under investigation. While this situation points to ongoing public health challenges, the current figures are around 30% less than those reported at the same time last year.

“There’s a lot that could happen, as many of these cases are still being looked into, and it’s only mid-August,” stated Dr. Nick Stave, chief medical officer for the county. However, he expressed optimism that this trend might indicate a decrease compared to last year.

Over the past decade, fever-related deaths in Maricopa County have increased dramatically. For instance, in 2014, there were 61 deaths, while this year, the number rose to 600. Interestingly, 2024 marked the first slight reduction in deaths in a decade, despite experiencing some record-breaking heat.

This summer, while temperatures have been cooler than last year, they have still been among the hottest recorded in the Valley. Stave pointed out that the cities and county’s efforts to broaden access to cooling centers have likely played a role in this potential decline.

“The more people know about these cooling centers, and the easier it is for those who need help to reach them, the better the chances are that they’ll get to a cooling location,” he added, emphasizing the importance of making these resources known.

During a press conference in May, Dr. Eugene River mentioned that Arizona had nearly 6,000 fever-related emergency room visits statewide last year. He suggested that the decrease in deaths could be tied to more individuals seeking prompt medical attention.

“While an upward trend in fever-related illnesses might seem negative at first glance, it actually indicates that people are reaching out for help sooner, which could prevent fatalities,” River noted.

Dr. Frank Lavecchio from ValleyWise Health in Phoenix shared his views after observing the extreme heat last summer. He believes that emergency responders and hospitals have improved their treatment of heat-related illnesses.

“Unfortunately, I think experiencing these conditions has become a new normal for us. We know we’re likely to see more patients as the temperatures rise,” Lavecchio commented, though he acknowledged, “We’ve developed better protocols and a clearer understanding of who needs immediate care and hydration.”

In response to the heat emergencies, the Phoenix Fire Department implemented new protocols last year. They even resorted to wrapping some patients in body bags filled with ice during transport to hospitals. Lavecchio mentioned that they used rapid cooling technology over 300 times last year and expressed confidence that these methods would save lives.

Typically, Maricopa County does not release final annual reports on fever-related deaths until the following spring.