Breastfeeding: a winning goal for life!

World Breastfeeding Week runs from 1-7 August and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting how new mums can really benefit from the support of other mothers who have breastfed. The theme of this year’s world breastfeeding week is ‘Breastfeeding: A winning goal – for life’ and aims to highlight the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding.

Ebola virus disease

WHO has declared that the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa fits the criteria under International Health Regulations (IHR) of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This declaration will trigger a WHO internationally coordinated response to countries with cases in order to assist them to take measures to contain and control the outbreak. Cases have been identified in four countries in West Africa - Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria. To date there have been no reported cases in the UK.

Your activity record book (English and Irish translation)

This fun physical activity record book outlines the recommended physical activity guidelines for children aged 5 to 18 and includes an easy way for children to keep track of how much physical activity they are getting.

(Irish translation of 2011 booklet)

World Hepatitis Day call to get tested

To mark World Hepatitis Day today, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people who think they may be at risk from hepatitis B or C infection to get tested.Viral hepatitis kills 1.5 million people worldwide each year. That’s as many people as HIV/ AIDS. Although hepatitis is not common in Northern Ireland, it is very common in other parts of the world, with an estimated 400 million people living with chronic hepatitis B and C worldwide.Both viruses are spread by contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.

Travel health advice

Zika virus

The Public Health Agency is advising pregnant women to postpone non-essential travel to areas with active Zika transmission until after pregnancy.

In addition, it is recommended that couples should follow guidance on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika and avoid becoming pregnant while travelling to a Zika-affected area and for up to six months on return.

Don’t sizzle in the sun this summer

The Public Health Agency (PHA) says that the only thing that should be sizzling this summer is the food on your barbecue as it urges people to enjoy the great weather safely. The unpredictability of our summers can lead to many people thinking that they will not get sunburn in such a changeable climate. However, the majority of the population have fair skin, which provides little protection against the sun, so even a small amount of exposure can do damage.

Take 'pride' in diversity

The Public Health Agency (PHA) will be celebrating diversity and providing information on health issues that impact on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) people and their families at this year’s Belfast Pride Festival. Mary Black, Assistant Director for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at PHA, said: “Belfast Pride Festival offers us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate diversity and help raise awareness of the particular health issues faced by the LGB&T community.

PHA highlights the importance of stopping smoking during pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy is the largest preventable cause of ill-health and death in young babies and infants. Statistics from the 2010 Infant Feeding Survey show that in Northern Ireland 28% of mothers smoked in the 12 months before pregnancy. It is encouraging that of those mothers who smoked before or during pregnancy, approximately half gave up at some point before the birth of their baby. Sadly, 15% didn’t stop and continued to smoke during pregnancy [see reference].
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