en-gb http://www.hpa.org.uk/ Protecting Health, Preventing Harm, Preparing for Threats Copyright 2012, Health Protection Agency. All Rights Reserved. webteam@hpa.org.uk Wed, 23 May 2012 16:25:32 BST 60 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317134331244?p=1317132140479 The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has been notified of a confirmed case of rabies in a patient from London who was bitten by a dog in South Asia. The patient is receiving hospital treatment and all relevant contacts have been followed up. Wed, 23 May 2012 16:23:29 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317134275836?p=1317132140479 Poisons experts are advising people planning country and woodland walks this summer how to reduce their risk of a snake bite. Tue, 22 May 2012 17:37:05 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317134298236?p=1317132140479 The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is today publishing the results of the fourth HCAI Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) and also the first National Survey on Antibiotic use in England. This report provides a snapshot of the levels of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) and levels of antibiotic use in hospital Trusts in England in Autumn 2011. This is also the first survey to include hospitals from the independent sector. Tue, 22 May 2012 15:18:57 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317134293612?p=1317132140479 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. Tue, 22 May 2012 13:43:53 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317134143628?p=1317132140479 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. Mon, 14 May 2012 15:52:21 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317134143991?p=1317132140479 Hundreds of householders in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire are being urged to contact the HPA for help to solve their radon problems. Mon, 14 May 2012 15:59:58 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133823488?p=1317132140479 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. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:08:34 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133806543?p=1317132140479 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. Tue, 1 May 2012 14:06:51 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133556439?p=1317132140479 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. Tue, 1 May 2012 14:13:48 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133465111?p=1317132140479 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. Wed, 4 Apr 2012 15:45:57 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133438706?p=1317132140479 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. Tue, 1 May 2012 14:38:34 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133404690?p=1317132140479 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. Tue, 1 May 2012 14:41:55 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133330191?p=1317132140479 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. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:12:42 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133323180?p=1274089139877 A measles outbreak on Merseyside is now the largest in the North West since MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988. To date there have been 113 laboratory confirmed cases and a further 43 probable cases are under review. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:57:41 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133254079?p=1317132140479 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. Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:01:05 GMT http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133233654?p=1317132140479 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. Tue, 1 May 2012 14:44:56 +0100 http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133136918?p=1317132140479 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. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:27:58 GMT http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133064950?p=1317132140479 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. Thu, 8 Mar 2012 11:47:43 GMT http://www.hpa.org.uk:80/webcw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1317133011769?p=1274089139877 A measles outbreak is continuing on Merseyside. A team of specialists from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and local NHS services is now investigating 48 laboratory confirmed cases, 37 probable cases and 108 possible cases. Tue, 6 Mar 2012 13:47:48 GMT