Portugal's health authority has issued a warning over deteriorating air quality as a plume of dust from the Sahara desert sweeps across the Iberian Peninsula. The Directorate-General of Health (DGS) said the dust, carried by an air mass from North Africa, is expected to affect most of mainland Portugal, with the Centre and South likely to see the highest concentrations.
In a statement published on its website, the DGS said the phenomenon would lead to "a situation of poor air quality on the mainland, with an increase in the concentrations of inhalable particles of natural origin in the air." The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) confirmed that dust would remain suspended in the atmosphere through Friday and Saturday.
Health advice for vulnerable groups
The DGS is particularly concerned about the impact of PM10 particles—tiny inhalable pollutants that can aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Children, older people, and those with chronic illnesses such as asthma or heart disease are considered most at risk.
For these groups, the DGS recommends staying indoors whenever possible and keeping windows closed to limit exposure. The general public is advised to avoid prolonged physical exertion outdoors and to steer clear of additional risk factors like tobacco smoke and irritating products.
"Patients with chronic diseases should continue their ongoing medical treatments," the DGS stressed. If symptoms worsen, individuals are urged to contact the Linha Saúde 24 hotline (808 24 24 24) or seek care at a healthcare facility.
The warning comes as other parts of Europe also face health-related challenges, highlighting the continent's vulnerability to environmental and biological threats.
Fire risk remains elevated
In addition to the dust, IPMA has placed eleven municipalities in the districts of Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco, and Coimbra under maximum rural fire alert for Friday. Temperatures remain high despite a slight dip from Thursday's peak, with the mercury expected to stay above 20°C in many areas.
A yellow weather warning is in effect until 7 p.m. on Saturday for fourteen districts, including Lisbon, Faro, Setúbal, and Santarém. Forecasters predict partly cloudy skies, with possible showers and thunderstorms in the northern and central interior from the afternoon, but winds are expected to be light.
The combination of heat and dry conditions has raised concerns about wildfires, a recurring issue in southern Europe. The situation echoes warnings from EU leaders about the need to prepare for simultaneous climate-related crises.
Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor local updates and follow guidance from civil protection authorities. The DGS says the dust episode is expected to subside over the weekend, but until then, precaution remains key.
