• What we do

    We do this through:

    • monitoring and tracking disease and public health threats,
    • infection prevention and control
    • providing advice and support to health professionals,
    • delivering education, training and research to strengthen health protection.

  • What we cover

    Our service covers a wide range of health protection issues, including: 

    • Antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections
    • Emergency preparedness and response
    • Respiratory infection control
    • Infectious disease management
    • Surveillance and outbreak detection
    • Immunisation and vaccine advice
    • Travel health advice

  • Who delivers the service

    The Health Protection Service is provided by a multi-disciplinary team, including:

    • doctors and nurses
    • scientists and disease surveillance specialists
    • emergency planners
    • administrative and support staff.

    Together, we work to detect, manage and prevent health risks to the public.

How to identify and report a notifiable disease

If you suspect a notifiable disease, please report it promptly:

Contacting the Health Protection duty room: 

  • Location: 
    Public Health Agency, Linenhall Street, Belfast.
  • Who should contact us: 
    Health professionals and agencies dealing with health protection incidents or queries during working hours. Our consultant-led teams are your first point of contact during the working day. They respond to health protection incidents and lead on public health priorities, with surge support from staff across the Public Health Agency during major incidents.

Urgent health protection concerns? 
Contact the Health Protection Service directly.

  • Infections and prevention

    Preventing and controlling infection protects everyone, from patients and care staff to families and the wider community. This section brings together guidance, resources and practical advice to support professionals and the public alike in reducing the spread of infection across all settings.

  • Health surveillance data

    Health surveillance helps us track illness, spot emerging threats and inform action to protect the population. Find data, reports and trend analysis here to support professionals, researchers and anyone seeking to understand health patterns across Northern Ireland.

  • Vaccination and immunisation

    Northern Ireland offers a comprehensive vaccination programme, free for eligible individuals based on age or risk group, to protect against serious diseases.

  • Population research and intelligence

  • Travel health

    Find advice to help you stay healthy before, during and after travelling abroad. Learn about travel vaccinations, destination-specific health risks, food and water safety, insect bites and where to get trusted travel advice.

  • Environmental health

    Our environment can affect our health and wellbeing. Find information and advice about environmental hazards that may affect public health in Northern Ireland.

  • Alerts, outbreaks and emergencies

    Find the latest public health alerts, information on infectious disease outbreaks, emergency health advice and guidance on what to do during public health incidents in Northern Ireland. HSC professionals can also access reporting guidance and specialist resources.

  • Safety and quality

    The PHA works with partners across Health and Social Care to improve safety and quality, share learning and support the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care in Northern Ireland.

  • Screening

    Screening helps identify people who may be at higher risk of certain health conditions before symptoms develop. Early detection can improve health outcomes, support earlier treatment and, in some cases save lives.