With the prevalence of the potentially life-threatening meningococcal infection at its highest during the winter, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is calling for people to make themselves aware of the all signs and symptoms of the condition, as a rash is not the only sign.

European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week runs from 25-31 January and the Public Health Agency (PHA) has produced a new video that shows women what to expect when they attend for a smear test.

School pupils in the southern area are getting help from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) to help them improve their GCSE grades. Thanks to a partnership with the SELB and local councils, the PHA has funded English and Mathematics programmes. Over 85% of pupils in the participating schools who were expected to achieve Grade D and availed of the additional support attained grades A*-C in English or Mathematics.

A conference will take place tomorrow (Thursday 22 January) to review how care for mothers and babies has improved in the UK, and what the health service can do to further reduce the number of deaths of mothers during pregnancy and those child deaths associated with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding all people aged 70, 78 and 79 years old that they are still able to receive the shingles vaccine. The vaccine will help protect them against the common and painful skin disease and its complications.

The Public Health Agency has issued the following advice to the public in relation to keeping healthy when mains water is unavailable. How do I keep my hands clean without mains water?It is still very important to ensure that your hands are clean before cooking food and eating as many gastrointestinal illnesses are transmitted through dirty hands. The very young and the elderly are especially vulnerable. For this reason people should:

With further wintery weather forecasts the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising everyone to look after themselves and their neighbours during the cold snap. Vulnerable and elderly people can find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated during the cold weather. The PHA is encouraging everyone to look out for those who may be more vulnerable during severe weather and check that they are ok. T he following advice can help you or a neighbour keep warm at home: