The Public Health Agency (PHA) is continuing to urge all those in ‘at-risk’ groups, who have not yet been vaccinated against flu, to get the jab now given recent flu related outbreaks in a number of nursing and residential homes in Northern Ireland. This situation is not unexpected, as for some weeks flu has been circulating albeit at low levels in Northern Ireland. Similar trends have been seen in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Now that spring is here with longer, brighter days, the Public Health Agency is encouraging everyone to use this opportunity to think positively about their mental health. In Northern Ireland, one in five people will experience mental health issues, so it is important to be aware of the signs that could indicate a problem, and to do something about them.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding parents of the importance of their children completing the childhood immunisation programme to help prevent serious disease and illness following a reported increase of whooping cough (pertussis) cases in Northern Ireland. Similar increases have been reported in England, Wales and Scotland.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all those in ‘at-risk’ groups, who have not yet been vaccinated against flu, to get the jab now given recent cases in a small number of nursing homes across the UK and Ireland. The PHA is working closely with one home in Northern Ireland which has seen a rise in cases since March 30. The residents affected are either recovered or are recovering.