Heat Health Warning in Central Victoria today

A heat warning has been issued by Health Victoria for much of Central victoria with the mercury expected to reach in the high 30s and low 40s near the Murray River.

The area affected includes Bendigo, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Echuca and Kerang.

Everyone is being urged to stay indoors if possible, stay hydrated and those who have to go outside - like tradies - are being reminded to take breaks from the heat during the hottest part of the day.

People are also being advised to never leave kids, adults or pets in cars and provide your pet with plenty of water and shade if you can't bring them inside.

Those most at risk of health related illnesses are the very young, the elderly, pregnant or nursing women and those with medical conditions.

Signs of heat related stress include high body temperature, red, hot dry skin, dry swollen tongue, rapid pulse, throbbing headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, collapse and unconsciousness.

Heat health alerts are issued when temperatures are forecast to reach above identified threshold, calculated by averaging the forecast daily maximum and minimum temperature.

Above these temperature thresholds heat-related illness and death such as heatstroke increase significantly.