Transmit: Health protection service bulletin. 2012: Issue 2

This months Transmit is issued rather later than normal due to the exceptional workload during the Pseudomonas aeruginosa incidents in NNU. Much was learnt during this time and work continues to improve systems accordingly.

RQIA completed a review of the PA incidents and their final report is available at www.rqia.org.uk . One of the recommendations of the review was that the health protection service should issue a weekly bulletin.

 In this issue is a report on the incidents managed by the Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Hazards team. These incidents are very varied and may pose a considerable hazard to the public if not managed appropriately.

Also included us an update on pertussis, a disease which has markedly increased in the last few months. Pertussis is generally a mild disease in older children and adults and patients may not present, but pose a risk to infants who can suffer very severe disease. It is increasingly important that babies are protected by vaccination as early as possible.

While 2011/12 has been a very mild flu season, late outbreaks in nursing homes were a reminder of the importance of vaccination of both residents and staff.

The news item on malaria is a reminder of the importance of awareness of risk, bite avoidance and prophylaxis. Risk level of malaria and their hazards to travellers varies over time in different countries so up to date information is vital.

Routine reports on Listeriosis, Brucellosis and gastrointestinal tract infections complete this issue.