2012 Press Releases

HPA welcomes pre-entry TB screening programme Release date: 22 May 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) welcomes the decision by the Home Office to replace existing airport based screening for TB infection with a pre-entry screening programme.
Added/updated: 22 May 2012
It’s not too late to act – say HPA radon experts Release date: 15 May 2012
Hundreds of householders in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire are being urged to contact the HPA for help to solve their radon problems.
Added/updated: 14 May 2012
Public health map for Europe taking shape Release date: 15 May 2012
The foundations for a public health map for Europe, with a focus on environmental factors, have been laid, as part of an innovative HPA led project.
Added/updated: 14 May 2012
Comprehensive review on mobile phone technologies finds no solid evidence of health effects Release date: 26 April 2012
A new report by the Health Protection Agency’s independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) has concluded that there is still no convincing evidence that mobile phone technologies cause adverse effects on human health.
Added/updated: 25 April 2012
HPA reports 22 per cent increase in malaria cases returning from the Indian sub-continent Release date: 25 April 2012
New figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on World Malaria Day show that despite a five per cent decrease in malaria infections reported in 2011 (1,677) compared to 2010 (1,761), cases among travellers returning from the Indian-subcontinent increased by 22 per cent, from 274 cases in 2010 to 334 cases in 2011.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
HPA reports continued increase in whooping cough cases Release date: 13 April 2012
665* laboratory confirmed cases of whooping cough have been reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England and Wales between January and March 2012, compared to total of 1,040* cases across the whole of 2011.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
HPA issues hand washing reminder ahead of petting farm season Release date: 4 April 2012
Ahead of the petting farm season, the HPA is reminding people, especially those with responsibility for young children, to enjoy their farm visits safely by ensuring good hand hygiene after touching farm animals or their surroundings.
Added/updated: 4 April 2012
New Directors of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NATHNAC) Appointed Release date: 3 April 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) have appointed Dr Vanessa Field and Dr Dipti Patel as joint Directors of NaTHNaC.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
Risk in UK Shigella Infections Prompts advice for men who have sex with men Release date: 30 March 2012
An increase in cases of dysentery caused by shigella infection has been identified among men who have sex with men (MSM) across the UK, according to preliminary findings from a Health Protection Agency (HPA) investigation published today (Friday) in Eurosurveillance.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
HPA advises public to be 'tick aware' to reduce the risk of Lyme disease Release date: 27 March 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is reminding people to be ‘tick aware’ this year and take sensible precautions to reduce their risk of Lyme disease, as Tick Bite Prevention Week (26 March – 1 April) begins.
Added/updated: 27 March 2012
More than 9,000 TB cases reported in 2011 Release date: 23 March 2012
Provisional figures released today by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show there were 9,042 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) in the UK in 2011. Compared to provisional numbers reported in 2010 (8,587), this is a five per cent increase.
Added/updated: 23 March 2012
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) identified in UK livestock – an update Release date: 20 March 2012
Tests by the Animal Health and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) have confirmed the presence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in livestock samples submitted since January 2012 from a number of farms across England.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
HPA investigating problem with commercial syphilis test kit Release date: 13 March 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is investigating inaccurate results given by a commercially available syphilis test kit that was used in conjunction with other tests to diagnose syphilis between November 2010 and September 2011.
Added/updated: 13 March 2012
HPA experts contribute to WHO publication on antibiotic resistance Release date: 8 March 2012
A team of leading Health Protection Agency (HPA) experts have contributed to a World Health Organization (WHO) publication entitled ‘The evolving threat of Antimicrobial Resistance: Options for Action’ which is published today.
Added/updated: 8 March 2012
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) identified in UK livestock Release date: 27 February 2012
Tests by the Animal Health and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) have confirmed the presence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in livestock samples submitted since January 2012 from a number of farms in the south and east of England.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
Update on Legionnaires’ Cluster Associated with a Hotel in Spain Release date: 10 February 2012
10 February 2012, 1400hrs. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has this week been alerted by the Spanish public health authorities about a further case of Legionnaires’ Disease in a UK resident who stayed at the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca, as well as two French cases. This brings the total number of UK residents associated with this cluster to 12, with three deaths.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
Development made in breakdown of a Meningitis B vaccine component Release date: 7 February 2012
Scientists from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are a step closer to ensuring the stability of a component of a vaccine that may one day be used to protect against Meningitis B. The research is published today (Tuesday) in Vaccine.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
Update on Legionnaires’ Cluster Associated with a Hotel in Spain Release date: 3 February 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware of nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease in English holiday makers associated with the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca since January 2012, in addition to four Spanish cases so far reported. Subsequently two of the English patients are reported to have died from their illness.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
Outbreak of Salmonella Newport Release date: 2 February 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is investigating an outbreak of a strain of Salmonella Newport infection among 30 people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the beginning of December 2011. Cases of illness caused by the same strain have been confirmed in Scotland, Ireland and Germany.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
Legionnaires’ cluster in returning travellers from Spain Release date: 2 February 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware of eight cases of Legionnaires’ disease in English holiday makers associated with travel to Costa Blanca, Spain since January 2012, in addition to a Spanish case reported in December 2011.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
Health Protection Agency confirms new incinerator study Release date: 24 January 2012
A new study to further extend the evidence base as to whether emissions from modern well run Municipal Waste Incinerators affect human health has been approved by the Health Protection Agency.
Added/updated: 26 January 2012
HPA helps solve radon problems in Orkney homes Release date: 10 January 2012
Hundreds of householders across Orkney are being advised to act to protect their health, after HPA tests detected high levels of radioactive gas radon.
Added/updated: 16 January 2012
Cornish radon hotspot targeted Release date: 10 January 2012
Thousands of households in a part of Cornwall with historic radon problems are being offered a free test for levels of the radioactive gas radon.
Added/updated: 10 January 2012
New Guidelines to Control Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Infections in UK Hospitals Launched Release date: 10 January 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) together with the group A streptococcal (GAS) Working Group* has today launched new guidelines for the investigation, control and prevention of GAS infection in acute healthcare settings, including maternity units, in the UK.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012
Whooping cough cases increase Release date: 5 January 2012
Cases of whooping cough (pertussis) reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England and Wales have more than doubled from 421 cases in 2010 to 1040 in 2011. Increases in levels of whooping cough are seen every three to four years and figures in 2011 are in line with cases reported in the last peak year of 2008.
Added/updated: 1 May 2012