https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LIHNNHorizons

For full text link here 

Date of publication: March 2013

In a nutshell: 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.  The full guidance can be found from the HPA website’s Hantaviruses page.

For full text link here 

Date of publication: March 2013

In a nutshell: A Health Protection Agency (HPA) report 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.

Length of publication: 7 pages

For full text link here 

Date of publication: March 2013

In a nutshell: Further to the issuing of practical technical guidance ‘Water sources and potential Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of taps and water systems – Advice for augmented care units’ in March 2012, an addendum to Health Technical Memorandum 04-01 has been published.  The document is concerned with controlling and minimising the risk of morbidity and mortality due to P. aeruginosa associated with water outlets.

Length of publication: 29 pages

For full text link here

Date of publication: March 2013

In a nutshell: Global action is needed to tackle the catastrophic threat of antimicrobial resistance, which in 20 years could see any one of us dying following minor surgery, according to England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies.  The stark warning comes as the second volume of the Chief Medical Officer’s annual report is published, providing a comprehensive overview of the threat of antimicrobial resistance and infectious diseases.  The report can be viewed here.

Read the science behind the news headlines on this story via NHS Choices.

Length of publication: Volume 2 of the report is 153 pages.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LIHNNHorizons

For full text link here

Date of publication: February 2013

In a nutshell: An information resource and summary for care workers on the prevention and control of infection in care homes has been published.  It aims to assist staff in taking all reasonable steps to protect residents and staff from acquiring infections and cross infection; and provide information and guidance on infection prevention and control that will assist managers undertaking risk assessments and in developing policies.

Length of publication: 98 pages

For full text link here

Date of publication: February 2013

In a nutshell: 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.

For full text link here 

Date of publication: Feb 2013

In a nutshell: The first Gonorrhoea Resistance Action Plan for England and Wales has been published, 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.