HPA signs unique polio vaccine license deal
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has recently agreed a non-exclusive Material Transfer, Patent and Know-How License Agreement with the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for the development and manufacture of a ‘next generation’ polio vaccine which could be a major step in the eradication of polio. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 28, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Investigation into an outbreak of Cryptosporidium infection in spring 2012
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm that findings of an investigation into an outbreak of Cryptosporidium infection that affected around 300 people in England and Scotland in May 2012 showed strong evidence of an association with eating pre-cut bagged salad products which are likely to have been labelled as ‘ready-to-eat’. The outbreak was short lived and the numbers of cases returned to expected seasonal levels within a month of the first cases being reported. Most of those affected had a mild to moderate form of illness and there were no deaths associated with the outbreak. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 19, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Study recommends changes to pneumonia prevention strategies
A Health Protection Agency (HPA) report published today has found since 2000 the number of cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) has increased in England by an average of seven per cent each year. The findings of the paper suggest that further work is needed to re-assess the prevention strategies currently in place for dealing with this infection. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 15, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
New report on human sensitivity to radiation
Evidence suggests that the risk of developing cancer or tissue damage after exposure to ionising radiation varies among people because of genetic and lifestyle factors, according the Health Protection Agency’s independent Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation (AGIR). (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 14, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
HPA study shows poor hygiene practices at mobile vendors
Research from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that food, water, chopping boards, cleaning cloths and security wristbands sampled from mobile and outdoor food vendors were contaminated with a range of bacteria including E.coli. This bacteria, which originates from human or animal faeces indicates either poor hygiene, undercooking or cross-contamination in the kitchen. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 13, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
HPA welcomes move to put antibiotic resistance on the national risk register
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) welcomes the move by England’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Professor Dame Sally Davies to add antibiotic resistance to the national risk register. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 11, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Suffolk patient with anthrax takes total in England to five cases
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware that a person who injected heroin has been diagnosed with anthrax infection in Suffolk and has died. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 8, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
HPA issues guidance for pet rodent owners following recent cases of hantavirus
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued new guidance for owners of pet rodents following two recent UK cases of hantavirus which are described in a paper published in this week’s Eurosurveillance. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 1, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Cases of whooping cough continue to decrease: 1 March 2013
Figures published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) today show that confirmed cases of whooping cough in England and Wales have continued to decrease with 668 cases reported in January 2013, compared to 835 cases in December 2012. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - March 1, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
New action plan launched to combat emerging threat of untreatable gonorrhoea in England and Wales
The first Gonorrhoea Resistance Action Plan for England and Wales is published today, recommending a heightened national response to combat this serious threat. The Action Plan was developed by the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), established by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to monitor the growing global problem of emerging resistance over the last decade in the absence of new therapeutic options. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - February 26, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Pandemic flu vaccination linked to narcolepsy in UK children
Health Protection Agency (HPA) scientists have found evidence of an association between Pandemrix flu vaccination and narcolepsy in children in England, according to the findings of a study published in the British Medical Journal. These findings are consistent with previous studies from Finland and Sweden which identified a similar association. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - February 26, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Update on family cluster of novel coronavirus infection in the UK
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) continues its investigations into a family cluster of novel coronavirus infections in the UK. Three members of the same family have all tested positive for novel coronavirus. Two of these had no history of recent travel suggesting that transmission has occurred in the UK. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - February 19, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
New research explores driving forces behind HIV epidemic in men who have sex with men in the UK
New HIV infections rose in men who have sex with men (MSM) between 1990 and 2010 in the UK, driven by a 26 per cent increase in the proportion having condomless sex, according to new research by the Health Protection Agency and UCL. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - February 18, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Third case of novel coronavirus infection identified in family cluster
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm a third case of novel coronavirus infection in a family cluster, following the confirmed diagnosis of two cases announced earlier this week. The patient, who is a UK resident and does not have any recent travel history, is recovering from a mild respiratory illness and is currently well. This latest case brings the total number of confirmed cases globally to 12, of which four have been diagnosed in the UK. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - February 15, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
Further UK case of novel coronavirus
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) can confirm a further case of novel coronavirus infection in a family member of the case announced on Monday 11 February. The patient, who is a UK resident, does not have any recent travel history and is currently receiving intensive care treatment at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. It is understood that this patient has an existing medical condition that may make them more susceptible to respiratory infections. This latest case brings the total number of confirmed cases globally to 11, of which three have been diagnosed in the UK. (Source: Health Protection Agency)
Source: Health Protection Agency - February 13, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news
