Public health Agency Update – 01 September 2010 An outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) on the Greek mainland has been confirmed by public health authorities in Greece. More than 100 cases have been confirmed in the periphery of Central Macedonia (Northern Greece), including nine deaths. These are the first human cases of WNV to be reported from Greece.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Northern Ireland and accounts for more than one quarter of all individuals diagnosed with cancer. There are two main types of skin cancer - melanoma and non-melanoma - melanoma is the least common but is the most serious form. There has been a dramatic increase in cases over the years with malignant melanoma skin cancer cases nearly trebling in 25 years.¹

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has called repeatedly for legislation which will allow new legal highs to be banned immediately.While the Government has acted to ban specific synthetic drugs once the risks of taking them become known, it has always been our concern that the producers of these drugs will manufacture alternative ones to get around the law.

Every summer we see an increase in bars, off licenses and supermarkets who offer promotions on alcohol. The most irresponsible promotions are those which encourage people to drink more and faster. Promotions like these, such as “Drink all you can for £20” and “Buy one get one free” encourage people to drink more alcohol in a shorter amount of time, which increases the risk to their health. It also means they are more likely to have accidents, more likely to be a victim (or perpetrator) of assault, and more likely to have unsafe sex.

The Director of Public Health for Northern Ireland’s first annual report will be highlighted in the west of the province this Thursday 19 August 2010 at 12.00 noon at Gransha Park House, Londonderry. This significant report highlights the many public health challenges that affect people living in Northern Ireland. Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health leads the public health team that tackles this complex agenda, working with many statutory, community and voluntary partner organisations across health, local government, education, housing and other sectors.

New Service Standards and a Quality Assessment Framework for community and voluntary organisations who work in the fields of suicide prevention and mental health will be launched on Wednesday 18 August at 10.00 am in the Tara Centre in Omagh. The standards were developed by the CLEAR project, a partnership of community and voluntary sector agencies funded by the Public Health Agency and managed by Derry Healthy Cities.