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].

Summary of CDI, MRSA and GNB incidence tables, 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2025

Summary of incidence tables: cases of clostridioides difficile (CDI), methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and gram negative bacteraemia (GNB) by Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland by financial year. 

 

Summary of incidence tables: cases of Clostridioides difficile (CDI), Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) & Gram Negative Bacteraemia (GNB) by Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland by financial year.

Learning Matters Newsletter

Learning Matters Newsletter provides a method of sharing learning relating to serious adverse incidents, complaints, reviews and patient experiences across Northern Ireland.

The Public Health Agency and SPPG are committed to improving the quality of services in Northern Ireland.

Learning Matters Newsletter provides a new method of sharing learning relating to serious adverse incidents, complaints, reviews and patient experience across Northern Ireland.

If you have any comments or questions on the articles in the newsletter please get in contact by email at learningmatters@hscni.net or by telephone on 0300 555 0114.

Surveillance of Influenza in Northern Ireland 2013-2014

 

The 2013/14 influenza season started later than in 2012/13, it did not last as long and was noted at generally lower levels throughout than the previous season. Clinical indices began to increase in early January and peaked in mid-March, with community syndromic indicators not exceeding the baseline threshold at any time during the season. GP influenza-like illness consultation rates in 2013/14 were lower than those in the 2012/13 season for the majority of the season and remained low overall.

Workplace Active Travel Programme

Organisations are invited to submit proposals to the Public Health Agency (PHA) for the development and delivery of a three-year pilot Workplace Active Travel Programme. This programme will be delivered in four sites and will focus on key organisations charged with delivering the Active Travel Action Plan for Belfast. The programme will be delivered in four phases:

Remember to wash your hands after visiting the farm

Now that schools are finished for the summer and parents are thinking of activities to keep their children entertained, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding families about the importance of washing hands after visiting the farm. All animals naturally carry a range of organisms, some of which can be transmitted to people. Some organisms which may be contracted on farms present a serious hazard and can potentially cause severe infection, particularly in young children.
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