The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the H1N1 influenza pandemic is over and says that worldwide flu activity has returned to typical seasonal patterns. The decision was taken at a meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee on 10 August 2010 and comes almost exactly 14 months after WHO moved to full phase 6 pandemic alert on 11 June 2009.

The PHA is using International Youth Day as an opportunity to highlight the issue of smoking among young people in Northern Ireland. The vast majority of our children don’t smoke, but almost 1 in 10 children aged 11-16 are regular smokers.¹

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is an emerging problem and a serious threat to public health. Today a new research paper was published which identifies a new resistance mechanism in bacteria, which makes them resistant to an important group of antibiotics known as carbapenems. What are carbapenems?

The Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group (SAAPLG) is urging people to be cautious when using home trampolines this summer.A survey conducted in 2008 by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust within its Accident and Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Units shows that there were 82 injuries recorded over a four week period due to trampoline accidents; 57 (70%) of these accidents were amongst children under 10 years of age.

This webcast features Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health for the Public Health Agency, discussing the Director of Public Health Annual report for 2009. The report outlines some of the main public health challenges in Northern Ireland and highlights a selection of the invaluable work that has been undertaken at grass-roots level to address these. [swf file="http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/video/PHA_Annual_Report_2009.flv"]

The Public Health Agency is urging people to be vigilant for the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and recommends taking action to minimise possible risk.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.