Ahead of World TB Day on Sunday 24 March, new figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) have revealed a steady increase in cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland since 2020. There were 77 cases of TB notified to the PHA in 2023, an increase from 68 cases reported in 2022 and 55 cases reported in both 2021 and 2020. In 2022 and 2023 almost 23% of people diagnosed with TB had at least one social risk factor (SRF). SRFs are conditions that increase the likelihood of negative health outcomes for individuals and communities, such as low income, reduced access to education or healthcare

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all those eligible for the MMR vaccine to get vaccinated as a key part of any Easter travel plans. With a growing number of measles cases in the UK and Europe, the PHA is currently rolling out a mass vaccination drive in collaboration with health trusts and GP surgeries for all those aged between 12 months and 25 years who missed getting one or both of their MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccines first time round. Getting both doses greatly reduces the risk of catching and spreading measles. Louise Flanagan, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA

Tackling the underlying causes of poor mental health is key to achieving better outcomes for people living in Northern Ireland, a conference in Belfast will hear tomorrow. The issue has been brought into focus by data which show that approximately one in five people in Northern Ireland have a potential mental health problem. Ahead of the Early Intervention and Prevention Conference, which will bring together policymakers, academics and professionals from statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations to focus on prevention and to consider the impact of their work on public mental

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is delighted to launch Irish language Primary school organ donation education resources, aimed at introducing organ donation education at an early age in the school setting. With the educational curriculum in mind, the resources will provide Key Stage1 and 2 pupils with the information they need to find out more about the topic and to discuss it with family and friends. The resources were launched today [15 March 2024] to mark the end of Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia 2024, an international Irish language festival and one of the biggest celebrations of the

This Save Your Vision Month [March], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to take steps to protect their vision, with more than half of sight loss being preventable. Dr Jackie McCall, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Looking after your eyes at all stages of life is extremely important. One-in-five of us will experience sight loss in our lifetime, but more than half of these cases could be prevented. There are lots of ways you can keep your eyes in better shape such as regular eye tests, being physically active, eating healthily and stopping smoking. “A routine eye

With over one in five 11 to 16 year olds in Northern Ireland reporting having used an e-cigarette, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is working with partners to produce information to support discussion with young people on vaping, and raise awareness of the risks it poses given the rise in its popularity. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “E-cigarettes, or ‘vapes’, are extremely addictive, so we want to highlight how this addiction can soon take a hold of young people. “These products are constantly evolving, and their marketing is opening them up to ever-increasing

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has been made aware of a confirmed case of measles in a resident of the Republic of Ireland who travelled on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Dublin, which arrived on Saturday 9 March 2024. Following a risk assessment with public health colleagues in the Health Service Executive (HSE), the PHA is asking any residents of Northern Ireland who were on Etihad Airways flight EY045 from Abu Dhabi to Dublin, which arrived in Dublin on Saturday 9 March 2024, to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles and for those who are at greatest risk of severe illness from measles