A total of 48 people have died within two months due to the extreme heat in Mexico, with almost half of the deaths registered in the past week alone, the Ministry of Health announced on Friday.
A total of 956 people have been treated for heatstroke, dehydration and sunburn since the hot season began in mid-March. Heatstroke was the most common cause of death.
Temperatures in 27 of the 32 states in the Latin American country are currently above 40 degrees Celsius.
On Thursday, temperatures in the northern city of Monclova in the state of Coahuila were as high as 46 degrees. In addition, it has rained less than usual at this time of year in large parts of the country.
Animals are also suffering from the extreme heat. In the southern states of Tabasco and Chiapas, dozens of howler monkeys recently fell dead from the trees or required medical treatment for dehydration, according to environmental organizations.