Transmit: Health protection service bulletin. 2011: Issue 8

This edition of Transmit leads with updated guidance in the management of meningococcal disease, which tends to be more common during the winter months. Information is provided on pre-admission management of suspected cases and chemoprophylaxis for close contacts of cases.

The bulletin also carries an in-depth update from the healthcare associated infections (HCAI) and infection prevention and control (IPC) team. It details a number of programme developments, including best practice advice for nurseries and childcare settings, and highlights the HCAI annual report 2010. Also included is a HCAI surveillance summary for 2010, which has statistics for Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infections, Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) and caesarean section surgical site infections (CS-SSI).

The duty room updates this month focuses on pertussis, while the additional news items include information for cancer patients about the flu vaccine, advice on fish pedicures and details on two workshops organised by the Drinking Water Liaison Group (DWLG).