PHA

In the 2023/24 Northern Ireland Health Survey almost four fifths (78%) of adults reported that they drank alcohol and around four fifths of males (81%) and three quarters of females (76%) were drinkers. Male drinkers (15%) were more likely than female drinkers (9%) to report drinking on three or more days per week. They survey can be found at www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/health-survey-ni-first-results-202324

'Know your limits' alcohol campaign rolled out across pharmacies in the North

Self-Harm Awareness Day.

Public Health Agency offer support for anyone affected by self-harm

Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride and Mark O’Kane, pharmacist at Woodbourne Pharmacy.

‘There's still time to get your flu vaccine to protect yourself’

This was Derry in January last year, 2024 during a cold spell. Picture by Lorcan Doherty /PressEye

Advice issued to help protect people as cold sets in

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JANUARY 13: A rubber duck swims in a foam bath in a bath tub on January 13, 2007 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo Illustration by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The Public Health Agency has laid out some safety tips for bath time

Whooping cough - there has been a sharp rise in whooping cough cases in the north of Ireland.

Whooping cough cases soar from two between 2021-2023 to 769 so far this year

Partners pictured at the launch of this year's Active Travel Challenge

Campaigners drive home green message with annual Active Travel Challenge

100 Days Cough- there has been a sharp rise in whooping cough cases in the north of Ireland.

'100 day cough': Public health advice as whooping cough on the rise

A boy suffering from whooping cough.

‘Whooping cough’ vaccine call after 72 cases of potentially serious infection

Of the nine positive samples, two were Flu A(H1N1), one was Flu A(H3), three were Flu A(not subtyped) and three were Flu B.

Only sporadic cases of flu with no widespread community circulation yet: PHA

Shingles

Shingles vaccine to be rolled out this September

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has received information from partners in the Derry City and Strabane area of three potential drug-related fatalities where it is suspected that pregabalin and polydrug use occurred.

PHA issues pregabalin warning after potential drug-related deaths in Derry area

Monkeypox pathogen. Credit: UKHS

Monkeypox: Health chiefs sound urgent vaccine reminder as cases rise

March is No Smoking Month.

‘Make March your Month to Quit’

The Western Trust Text-A-Nurse programme expanded to include parents, carers and school staff.

Western Trust Text-A-Nurse programme expanded

Flu activity has fallen again.

Flu activity dips again and is well below epidemic level
The level of flu has fallen again and remains well below the baseline epidemic level, according to the latest bulletin from the Public Health Agency (PHA).
Kevin Mullan

Doctor taking sample for STD testing from man in clinic. (File picture)

47% rise in sexually transmitted infections in Northern Ireland

Flu activity has fallen

Flu activity falls below baseline epidemic level

Flu activity has risen again

Flu activity rises again and remains at epidemic level

Flu activity breached the epidemic threshold for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic over Christmas

Flu activity breached the epidemic threshold for the first time over Christmas

Children should not go to school if unwell, the PHA has said. File picture by Rido - stock.adobe.com

Flu and scarlet fever cases still on the rise: PHA issues advice

PHA urging people who are eligible for flu and Covid-19 vaccine to get it.

PHA urging people to avail of free flu and COVID-19 vaccines

Most common ailments like colds and flu can be treated with self care and over the counter medicines.

Flu activity on the rise and four outbreaks but still at low level

People have been urged to be vigilant over potential scarlet fever infections.

Scarlet fever alert issued to all parents across Northern Ireland

People who are bitten by mammals are susceptible to rabies. Fresh wounds are susceptible to infection. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising people to get the rabies vaccine if they are travelling abroad this summer.

Public Health Agency warns about rabies for people going abroad

A child's hand with Monkeypox.

First confirmed case of Monkeypox in the north

What monkeypox can look like on the body.

No cases of monkeypox recorded in NI
A multidisciplinary incident management team has been established in NI to prepare for any risk to the population from monkeypox.
By The Newsroom

Translink has joined the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme – a programme that aims to increase the number of locations which welcome breastfeeding mums. Health Minister Robin Swann and Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon welcome Translink’s involvement and are pictured launching the scheme with the CEO of the Public Health Agency Aidan Dawson; Translink Group CEO Chris Conway and Breastfeeding mum Christine McPherson and her baby Reggie.

Translink join Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme

DER2126GS - 154

Young people aged 12-17 urged to get Covid Vaccine over half-term

Flu rate extremely low.

Flu activity in the north very low this winter

Flu vaccination uptake among health care workers in the Western Trust was the lowest in the north.

Flu vaccine uptake rate among WHSCT frontline workers lower than 50%

Respiratory syncytial virus is circulating earlier than anticipated.

Bronchiolitis-causing RSV virus has arrived early this year

There have been thousands of COVID cases in NI schools.

Derry school ‘dissatified’ by PHA Covid contact tracing process

Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Schools will no longer have to contact trace in Northern Ireland

Probable cases of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified in Derry.

PHA identifies probable cases of Delta variant of COVID-19 in Derry

Derry City fans face a waiting game as decision to permit fans to Brandywell Stadium expected to be made next week.

Derry City fans face waiting game ahead of Bohemians visit to Brandywell

Altnagelvin Hospital

No COVID-19 patients in ICU in Derry; no admissions yesterday; 3.31% bed capacit...

No further COVID-19 deaths were registered in Derry.

COVID-19 death tally in Derry remains at 195, according to PHA weekly figures

Altnagelvin

Western Trust COVID patient tally falls to 8 - its lowest level since September ...

No further COVID-19 deaths were registered in Derry.

No further COVID-19 deaths registered in Derry, according to PHA weekly figures

A checkpoint at the Muff-Derr border crossing last year. DER1920GS – 004

Public health authorities on both sides of border urge caution

Some young people have ended up in hospital after being duped into vaping Spice

Public Health Agency issue ‘spice’ vaping warning

The outbreak was detected in the Nightingale facility at Belfast City Hospital.

'Superbug' infection outbreak at NI hospital spreads to Covid patients

Care home vaccine rollout almost finished in the north of Ireland

Editorial image

Free online stress control classes

Minister for Health Robin Swann.

CONFIRMED: Weekly COVID testing for special schools in Northern Ireland

Maureen Cooke School Nurse; Lylia Watt, Occ Health Nurse and Lorraine Mullan, Principal Pharmacist at the Western Trust.

Dr. Naomh Gallagher: Vaccines are safe and protect entire communities

Justin McNulty MLA said the teachers he spoke to were concerned about the spread of Covid-19.

‘Totally unacceptable’ - GCSE exams due take place on Monday but teachers claim...

Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy

‘Shortages in flu vaccine are concerning’

Contact tracing row - (pictured from left to right) Pat Sheehan MLA, Olive Macleod Interim PHA Chief Executive and Pam Cameron MLA.

Sinn Fein MLA slammed for describing NI track and trace system ‘as useful as a c...

Riversdale Leisure Centre. Picture: Google Maps.

Riversdale Leisure Centre temporarily closed after staff member tests positive f...

(Image: Shutterstock)

A ‘potentially hazardous’ asteroid bigger than London Eye is set to come close t...

Housing Executive to start maintenance work again

Public Health Agency

Be kind to yourself will make yopu a better parent, says PHA

Parents urged not to ignore signs of type 1 diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic