The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people about food safety ahead of long weekend barbecues and as people head off on holidays, as undercooked and mishandled food can cause a number of illnesses. Dr Claire Neill, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Bacteria on or in food are usually the underlying cause of food poisoning, which is an illness that occurs after eating or handling contaminated food or liquid. That is why there is a need for thorough cooking and good hand hygiene. “Although it is probably far from people’s minds when they are enjoying food outdoors or on

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging anyone choosing to use alcohol during the Twelfth of July celebrations to keep an eye on their drinking by making a sensible plan and sticking to it. Whether it is drinking at home, at a party, at an eleventh night bonfire, or at a parade, everyone is being reminded that alcohol carries serious risks both to safety and to health. Kevin Bailey, the PHA’s Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol said: “We understand that the long weekend is a time to relax and let off some steam but we’d encourage people to do so safely by keeping an eye on what and how much

Last week we received that sad news that our friend Andrew Dougal had passed away. Andrew was the Chair of the PHA until just last year, having served for eight years in the role. Not only did be bring his vast experience and knowledge of a broad range of health issues, but he was also a source of encouragement and support for the agency and its staff. After attending St Malachy’s College in north Belfast, and then Queen’s University, Andrew started a career as a teacher at St Louise’s College in west Belfast. He then went onto become Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke in

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced that the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is now available through HSC Trust antenatal clinics, making it more accessible for pregnant women. It will also continue to be available through GP practices. This comes as Northern Ireland has seen an increase in cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, a highly contagious and sometimes serious bacterial infection which can make babies and young children in particular very ill. There have been 1,788 confirmed cases of the illness so far this year in Northern Ireland, compared with just two

With high temperatures forecast for the coming days across the UK and Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to be UV aware, protect themselves from the sun and look out for vulnerable and older people. There are a number of simple steps that will help protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays: Seek shade when UV rays are strongest – generally 11am to 3pm. Cover up in the sun with a long-sleeved t-shirt and a hat. Wear sunglasses that have a CE mark or carry British Standard BS EN ISO 12312-1 with a UV 400 label and offer 100% UV protection. This will ensure they provide

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urgently advising parents planning summer getaways to ensure their children are vaccinated as measles cases have seen a dramatic rise in recent months, affecting 17 popular holiday destinations across Europe according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Louise Flanagan, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is by getting the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. You should plan to be fully vaccinated against measles at least two weeks before you depart. If your trip

Dessie Lowry from Limavady decided to incorporate more physical activity into his work day by bringing his bicycle to work and going for a cycle as part of the Active Travel Challenge (ATC). The 64-year-old Nursing Consultant at the Public Health Agency (PHA) says getting active on the commute to work has benefitted both his physical and mental health. Dessie said: “I really enjoy getting active on the commute. I would cycle on the greenway adjacent to my workplace a few days per week, and when I need to attend meetings in Belfast I would also use public transport. “When I travel actively, I

This Cervical Screening Awareness Week [17–23 June], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging young women to go for their screening, as it is revealed while nearly two-thirds do attend when invited, those who don’t are missing out on a potentially life-saving opportunity. In Northern Ireland, cervical screening is available to women and other people with a cervix aged 25–64. At the end of March 2023, just 60% of women aged 25-29 had come forward for a screening test within the previous five years, while 71% of those eligible overall had attended. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at