The Public Health Agency is reinforcing the advice of the Food Standards Agency regarding the consumption of Lloyd Grossman Korma sauce product, in relation to two cases of botulism in Scotland. A full recall of the product batch has been issued and the sauce is being removed from shop shelves. The affected batch is: 350g jars of Lloyd Grossman Korma sauce with a best before date of February 2013. The sauce has a batch code of: 1218R 07:21
Smoking causes mouth cancer, PHA warns
Mouth cancer awareness week begins on the 13 – 20 November. With this in mind the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer and is encouraging all smokers thinking about stopping smoking to make the decision to stop today.
PHA and councils join forces to improve health and wellbeing
Elected representatives from Cookstown, Magherafelt and Dungannon and South Tyrone councils have joined with the Public Health Agency (PHA) and both the Northern and Southern Health and Social Care Trusts to launch the Mid-Ulster Cluster plan. This plan, and the actions that follow from it, will improve the health and wellbeing of the people in the mid-Ulster area.
Flu vaccination uptake increases by 25%
With the seasonal flu vaccination programme well underway, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reporting a 25% increase (47,500 doses) in vaccine uptake from this time last year.
School alcohol project results in healthier and safer pupils
Recent independent research by the University of Liverpool has found that the Public Health Agency (PHA) funded School Health and Alcohol Harm Reduction Project (SHAHRP) has achieved significant, positive results in raising awareness of alcohol misuse and reducing alcohol-related harm. Delivered annually to 16,000 pupils in schools across Belfast and the South Eastern area, SHAHRP was evaluated against groups of pupils who did not receive the project; these are called the ‘control’ group.
PHA - boil drinking water in Ballymoney area
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is liaising with Northern Ireland Water and can confirm that a ‘Boil water’ notice is still in force until further notice to around 3000 properties in the Ballymoney area as a precautionary measure. The areas concerned are: Ballymena Road area of Ballymoney town, Bann Road, Bendooragh, Balnamore, Finvoy and Ballymoney.
Antibiotic Awareness Day
Antibiotic Awareness Day is on Friday 18 November 2011.
For further information on Antibiotic Awareness Day go to www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/eaad/Pages/Home.aspx
For further information on antibiotic use go to www.publichealthagency.org/news/pha-and-hscb-advise-antibiotic-use
Carbon monoxide awareness week
Carbon monoxide awareness week starts on Monday 21 November 2011.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can affect anyone. However, children, students, the elderly, pregnant women and anyone with heart or breathing problems are more vulnerable to its effects. Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels such as gas, coal, oil, wood, petrol and paraffin burn without enough oxygen. It is a colourless, tasteless, odourless gas that is non-irritating