In 2013/14, 35,663 people in Northern Ireland were registered as having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is a life-threatening lung disease caused primarily by smoking. In line with the theme for this year’s World COPD Day [Wednesday 19 November] ‘It's Not Too Late’, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging smokers to make a decision to stop smoking today and reduce their risk of developing the disease.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has published the first annual report of the 10,000 Voices initiative, highlighting its success to date. The report outlines the work undertaken through the programme since it went live in July 2013 and also summarises the findings and key actions emerging from phase one, which has focused on unscheduled care.

Today is World Quality Day and the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are publishing their first Annual Quality Report, to highlight the work completed in improving the quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland.

As part of ongoing work to address the health inequalities experienced by people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/ or Transgender (LGB&/T), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is pleased to support this year’s Outburst festival which runs from 14 to 22 November.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed that a person who has recently travelled in an area affected by Ebola has been assessed in accordance with the national risk assessment protocol. The patient is currently being treated in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, and has tested positive for malaria. The patient has also been tested for Ebola, as a precautionary measure, and this test is negative. The patient is being treated for malaria and will continue to be monitored. The PHA has advised that there is no increased risk to the wider community.

-STATEMENT BEGINS- The Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed that a person who has recently travelled in an area affected by Ebola is being assessed in accordance with the agreed risk assessment. The PHA is liaising with colleagues and has advised that there is no increased risk to the wider community. Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, can be a severe illness in humans. The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days.

Welsh 'Indie Folksters' Paper Aeroplanes, who are currently touring the UK, stopped off in Lisburn today for a surprise gig at a school, which they also used to promote the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) stop smoking campaign. The duet, whose track ‘Same Mistakes’ features in the PHA’s recent stop smoking TV ads, played a gig at Fort Hill College in Lisburn and used the opportunity to warn young people of the dangers of smoking. They also encouraged those who already smoke to seek help and quit. Gerry Bleakney, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said:

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has commended Norbrook Laboratories Ltd in Newry for taking part in the ‘Workplace 28 day stop smoking challenge’ to support their employees to stop smoking, and has congratulated the group of staff that took part. The ‘Workplace 28 day stop smoking challenge’ was launched on 1 October to encourage and support workers to stop smoking and called for businesses to work with the PHA to make this happen. Congratulating Norbrook, Gerry Bleakney, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said: