This year during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (18-24 November) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is asking everyone to pledge their support to help keep antibiotics working. Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It is important to remember that antibiotics do not treat infections caused by viruses, and when they are not used appropriately, bacteria can become resistant. As a result, some antibiotics are becoming less effective against the bacterial infections they were designed to treat. Infections caused by resistant bacteria can be very difficult to tackle, can be

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among both men and women in Northern Ireland, with around 1300 cases diagnosed each year. During Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November) the Public Health Agency (PHA) wants to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms and encourage people to take action if they are concerned. Some symptoms of lung cancer are similar to those of COVID-19, like a cough. Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Service Development and Screening with the PHA said: “If you’re aged 40 or older and have a persistent new or different cough for three weeks or more, contact your GP

Care Opinion the online user feedback service in Northern Ireland, will host a virtual event on Wednesday 10 November to celebrate one year since its inception in August 2020. The online feedback platform has received 2,641 pieces of feedback from service users, families and carers some of which are helping to make improvements in Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. The event will showcase examples from each of the six HSC Trusts as to how Care Opinion feedback is impacting and improving services across the region. Health Minister Robin Swann, who will open the virtual event said

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed that 125 cases of the COVID-19 Variant Under Investigation VUI-21OCT-01 also known as AY.4.2 and ‘Delta plus’, have been detected in Northern Ireland (confirmed and probable cases as of 27 October 2021). The new strain, which is a mutation of the existing Delta variant, has been found in at least 42 countries, according to a WHO epidemiological update, including other jurisdictions in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, India and the United States. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly Public Health England, has designated it a "Variant Under

As schools, pupils and parents get ready for the return to class after the mid-term break, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Education Authority (EA) are highlighting the importance of regular asymptomatic testing in schools in reducing the spread of COVID-19. All pupils in years 8-14, and all staff in pre-schools, primary schools and post-primary schools who do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, are strongly urged to take part in the asymptomatic testing programme. Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said: “It’s estimated that around one third of people with

Ahead of World Stroke Day on 29 October the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to think ‘FAST’ if they see someone having a stroke. Stroke is a common cause of death and disability in Northern Ireland. There are approximately 2,800 new strokes here every year, and while the majority of strokes occur in people over the age of 65, it can strike at any age, with 25% occurring in people under the age of 65. Dr Brid Farrell, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “ This World Stroke Day we want to raise awareness of the main signs and symptoms of stroke and what to do if you