The Public Health Agency (PHA) has emphasised the need for everyone to take steps to protect themselves and those around them as the number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has reached 151 in Northern Ireland. This is a significant increase in numbers due to rising community spread and a change in definition across the UK from today which has meant that cases that were previously recorded as ‘highly probable’ are now automatically recorded as ‘confirmed’, meaning a number of cases under investigation from across several days have now become confirmed at the same time and

As the festive season approaches the Public Health Agency (PHA), is warning parents and caregivers about the dangers of children swallowing lithium button cell batteries which are used in many toys. Swallowing button cell batteries can cause choking, burning or poisoning and can lead to life-changing injuries or death. Christmas typically means that there will be more new toys in the home and therefore a rise in the number of the small batteries which are within many toys, musical Christmas cards, remote controls and lots of electronics. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement

The Public Health Agency’s (PHA’s) Act FAST public awareness campaign commenced this week (13 th Dec) to promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke. The campaign will run from 13 th December until 6 th January across TV, radio, digital and outdoor. Stroke is the third main cause of death in adults in Northern Ireland, after heart disease and cancer, and the single greatest cause of adult disability. Every year in Northern Ireland stroke accounts for around 2,800 hospital admissions and although the majority of strokes happen in older people, approximately one in ten strokes occur in

The Public Health Agency is reminding the public not to touch dead birds. The reminder comes following a Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) announcement about the presence of avian influenza in Northern Ireland. Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said:“Human infections with avian influenza are rare. However you should observe the following advice to prevent any other risks to your health: do not pick up or touch sick, dying or dead poultry or wild birds, and keep pets away from them; avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with bird faeces

Saturday 11 December is Organ Donation Discussion Day. A day which encourages everyone to think about organ donation, register a decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and to talk about that decision with loved ones. As Christmas approaches, most of us are working through our shopping gift lists. But there’s one very special gift that we could all consider – the ‘gift of life’ through organ donation. Each year, hundreds of lives are saved and transformed by organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Last year in Northern Ireland, 51 families supported the life-saving gift of organ

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to remember the basic steps to help reduce their risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 ahead of the festive period – wear a face covering, maintain social distancing, and practise good hand hygiene – as well as keeping rooms well-ventilated and getting the COVID-19 vaccine or booster if you are eligible. Dr Brid Farrell, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, said : “December and the festive period are traditionally times when we meet up with others and spend extended time with them, and understandably many people will want to catch up

The latest sexual health figures released today by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in its ‘Sexually Transmitted Infection surveillance in Northern Ireland 2021: An analysis of data for the calendar year 2020’ report show a decrease in the number of new Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) diagnoses made in Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics in Northern Ireland and an increase in demand for home STI testing kits. In 2020, the number of sexual health screens in GUM clinics decreased 72% when compared with 2019. During 2020 there was a 43% decrease in new STI diagnoses, 20% in other STI