The Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning about the dangers of an MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) ecstasy tablet which may be in circulation in Northern Ireland. The warning comes after a number of people were hospitalised in England after taking yellow tablets marked with a ‘UPS’ logo. Pills with a similar appearance have now been seized in Northern Ireland. The PHA is using its early warning system to raise awareness of the risks of all drug misuse in light of this and is urging those who feel unwell after taking drugs to seek medical help urgently.

Sunscreen is one holiday essential that often gets left behind when people pack for a winter holiday, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are reminding travellers not to forget about sunscreen during their half term get-away.

- Helpful tips to help you stop smoking for good - Thousands of smokers across Northern Ireland are today being urged to quit the habit and become ‘Proud Quitters’ as the one month countdown to No Smoking Day (NSD) on Wednesday 11 March gets underway.

Public Health Annual Scientific Conference, Wednesday 10 June 2015, Riddel Hall, Stranmillis Road, Belfast The Public Health Agency and Partners will be hosting the fourth Public Health Annual Scientific Conference on 10 June 2015. The theme of the Conference will be 'Making Life Better – Improving health and care for adults'. It will focus on how public health innovations, research and practice are meeting the needs of our adult population between the ages of 18-64 years.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting that it is still important to get the flu vaccine, following new research published by Public Health England (PHE) on the effectiveness of this year’s flu vaccine.

To mark World Cancer Day 2015 on Wednesday 4 February, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the links between smoking and cancer and is urging all smokers to make the decision to give up their habit and start to enjoy the benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle. In line with the theme ‘Not beyond us’, smokers are being reminded that they can successfully quit smoking and join thousands of people who decide to stop each year by using the PHA’s Stop Smoking Services, or by doing so on their own.

Stroke is a common cause of death and disability in Northern Ireland so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to ‘act FAST’ if they see someone having a stroke. Dr Brid Farrell, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said: “Stroke is an attack on the brain. It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and brain cells are damaged or die. “If someone has a stroke, knowing the signs and symptoms and acting FAST can improve the chances of survival and reduce the level of disability that results from a stroke.”

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.