Infectious Diseases

The HPA carries out a broad spectrum of work relating to prevention of infectious disease.

This includes infectious disease surveillance, providing specialist and reference microbiology and microbial epidemiology, co-ordinating the investigation and cause of national and uncommon outbreaks, helping advise government on the risks posed by various infections and responding to international health alerts.

HIGHLIGHTS

Seasonal Influenza

Influenza occurs most often in winter and usually peaks between December and March in the northern hemisphere. Illnesses resembling influenza that occur in the summer are usually due to other viruses.

›› Seasonal Influenza

Healthcare Associated Infections

Healthcare associated infections are infections that are acquired in hospitals or as a result of healthcare interventions. There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of acquiring an infection, but high standards of infection control practice minimise the risk of occurrence.

›› Healthcare Associated Infections

HIV

HIV continues to be one of the most important communicable diseases in the UK. It is associated with serious morbidity, high costs of treatment and care, significant mortality and high number of potential years of life lost.

›› HIV

Anthrax

Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis, spores of which can survive in the environment for years or decades. It is primarily a disease of herbivorous mammals, though other animals and some birds, particularly carrion birds, can also contract it.

›› Anthrax