PHA warn pregnant women to ‘get the flu vaccine now’

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all pregnant women, no matter what stage of pregnancy, to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. The PHA is emphasising this message, particularly as three confirmed cases of H1N1 flu have now been identified in pregnant women, in Northern Ireland. Dr Lorraine Doherty, Assistant Director of Public Health (Health Protection), PHA said: “While there are low circulating levels of flu amongst the general population, these three cases of H1N1 confirmed in pregnant women, tells us that pregnant women could be hard hit again with flu.”

Respiratory diseases and infections

The respiratory team covers influenza, tuberculosis (TB) and Legionnaires’ disease. Issues associated with influenza include surveillance and public health preparedness/response for pandemic, avian and seasonal influenza viruses.

Current work includes surveillance, prevention and control of the following diseases: TB, seasonal/pandemix influenza and Legionnaires’ disease.
 

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Northern Ireland: Annual surveillance report 2007

This report provides an annual update on the prevalence of tuberculosis in Northern Ireland. It gives a general overview of TB rates and statistics, and looks at both pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis cases in detail, examining the forms of therapy employed and highlighting any drug resistance. The report also includes a discussion, which considers the specifics of newly diagnosed cases (age, place of birth) and provides some comparative data for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Traveller Focus Week

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has presented a response to the findings of the All Ireland Travellers’ Health Study. Mary Black, PHA Assistant Director of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement, addressed an event organised in Travellers’ Focus Week and hosted by An Munia Tober, the Traveller support organisation.

Look after yourself this winter

The Public Health Agency is advising everyone to look after themselves and others, especially elderly, as the cold winter weather sets in. With high fuel costs and colder weather vulnerable groups such as older people find it increasingly difficult to afford to heat their home adequately. Staying warm in winterKeeping warm over winter months can help prevent colds, flu or more serious health problems like pneumonia. There are simple things you can do to keep warm and stay healthy and make the best use of your heating at home.

Meeting the challenge: economics and a healthier society - 24 November 2010 - Conference presentations now available to download

‘Meeting the challenge: economics and a healthier society’ - Wednesday 24 November 2010, Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey. This major one-day conference on 24 November, entitled ‘Meeting the challenge: economics and a healthier society’, stimulated debate and reflected on action taken to reduce health inequalities. The conference focused on economic development and partnership working, with delegates attending from a number of community and voluntary organisations, government departments, local councils, academic and economic institutions.

Get vaccinated against flu…. it’s not too late!

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all those in ‘at risk’ groups to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. The annual flu vaccination programme was launched in October and while so far there has been a good response to it, some people still haven’t taken up the offer. The PHA is reminding everyone that it’s not too late, it’s still important to get the vaccine and the vaccine is still available.

HIV and STI surveillance in Northern Ireland 2010: An analysis of data for the calendar year 2009

This annual analysis of data provides an overview of HIV and STI epidemiology in Northern Ireland for the calendar year 2009. Information from a variety of sources is collated and analysed in detail, while any evident trends over time are highlighted with graphs and tables. As well as a general summary of STI diagnoses and a number of overall conclusions, the report looks specifically at each of the following STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, genital warts, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and HIV.

ENGAGEMENT CLOSED - Preconsultation to inform the production of the draft PHA Corporate plan - Deadline 3 December

*** PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOW CLOSED *** The PHA is currently collating responses from external stakeholders, groups and individuals, who may work directly or indirectly with the PHA, to several questions that will help inform the development of our longer term Corporate plan. The question template is attached below this message.
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