Despite the weather spring is here and the first lambs have already begun to appear in the fields, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding pregnant women about the risk of close contact with sheep during lambing season. The PHA is advising women who are, or think they may be, pregnant to reduce their risk of miscarriage and infection by avoiding close contact with sheep during lambing season, which runs until around the end of April.

With the clocks having sprung forward at the weekend, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to use the stretch in the evenings to stretch their legs. Colette Brolly, the PHA’s lead on physical activity, said: “The longer evenings mean we have more time to get involved in physical activity, whether it’s getting out on the bike, having a kick-about in the park or getting out for a walk.

New figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) reveal that the number of reported cases of Tuberculosis (TB) has dropped in Northern Ireland. The data have been published ahead of World TB Day [24 March] and show that there were 71 cases reported in 2017 compared with 85 confirmed cases in 2016. In 2015 there were 62 confirmed cases and 95 in 2014.

A set of national standards designed to improve the quality and consistency of public involvement in research launch today at the 2018 Patients First conference - hosted jointly by the AMRC and the ABPI - and at the Involving People Network Annual Meeting 20

Many of us consume more salt than is recommended for good health and it’s not just an issue for adults. This year as part of Salt Awareness Week (12-18 March), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is drawing attention to the salt that is added to common foods by manufacturers and asking people to think about the amount of salt in the whole family’s diet.

As people get ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging anyone choosing to drink to keep an eye on their alcohol intake, and be aware of the dangers of binge drinking and the effects excess alcohol can have on our health and safety. The PHA’s Drugs and Alcohol lead Michael Owen said: “A lot of people will be making plans to meet up with their friends and family to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we are encouraging them to keep an eye on their alcohol intake should they choose to drink.

To mark Sign Language Week (12 – 18 March 2018) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are highlighting what matters to deaf service users in their experiences of health and social care. 10,000 More Voices is a PHA initiative which gives people an opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences of accessing Health and Social Care services by asking them to ‘tell us their story’. The information received helps to highlight areas that require additional focus for improvement.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has urged parents of girls who are eligible to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to make sure that they get it to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life. The call comes as figures show a reduction in the levels of uptake of the vaccine here. The HPV vaccine helps protect girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is offered to girls in year 9 and 10 through a school-based programme and provides the best protection against the disease.