The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been in the news due to its involvement in investigating and responding to various public health crises in the UK. This includes outbreaks of diseases such as whooping cough, measles, and E.coli infections linked to specific food products. The agency has also been at the forefront of efforts to address the surge in reported cases of dengue fever and the emergence of new strains of flu, such as H1N2 swine flu, in the country. Additionally, the UKHSA has been actively engaged in vaccination campaigns to combat these health threats, including urging vulnerable groups to get flu jabs and administering booster vaccinations to protect against new Covid variants like BA.2.86.
Established in April 2021, the UK Health Security Agency is a government agency responsible for safeguarding public health and enhancing the country's capability to respond to infectious diseases and health emergencies. It operates as an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care in the UK. The agency's primary focus is on monitoring, detecting, and responding to health threats, as well as providing expert advice and guidance to support effective public health interventions. With a dedicated team of health professionals and experts, the UKHSA plays a crucial role in protecting the population from a wide range of health risks and ensuring the resilience of the UK's health security infrastructure.
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Whooping cough infections have risen across the UK in the first quarter of 2024.
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Exclusive: Vaccinations rise amid national campaign, but reported measles cases have increased by 40% since March
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The bacteria associated with certain gels "very rarely causes infection" among healthy people but can cause severe infections in people with weakened immune systems and those living with cystic fibrosis, the report said.
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Are superdodgers real? Is Covid seasonal? And what’s behind its strangest symptoms? Here’s what we’ve learned.
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Measles cases have surged in Europe and the UK, with outbreaks and rising infections, prompting urgent vaccination efforts.
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The UK is facing heavy snow and ice, with temperatures potentially dropping to -15C, leading to travel chaos and possible power cuts.
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A cold weather alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency, with almost 250 flood warnings in place across England and Wales.
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An E.coli outbreak in the UK linked to Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire Cheese has caused one death and 30 illnesses, with victims aged 7 to 81.
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Reported cases of dengue fever have increased tenfold over the last generation, with climate change and the growing spread of virus-carrying mosquitoes partly to blame.
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Benn Curran-Nicholls died after consuming yew tree berries during a walk in Fletcher Moss Park in Manchester.
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A patient in Yorkshire has tested positive for H1N2 swine flu, a strain never before seen in humans in the UK.
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One person in the UK has been confirmed to have a strain of flu similar to viruses spreading in pigs.
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Health officials are urging vulnerable groups to come forward for flu jabs to protect against both flu and Covid.
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The UK has brought forward its autumn booster vaccination programme due to concerns about a new Covid variant, BA.2.86, which has a high number of mutations and is spreading in the community.
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London faces a potential measles epidemic, with unvaccinated children at risk of being asked to self-isolate if they come into contact with an infected classmate.
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Thunderstorms expected to bring temperatures down after seven consecutive days of heatwave
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The UK experiences its highest temperature of the year at 32.7°C in Heathrow, prompting health alerts and thunderstorm warnings.
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The UK is experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 32-33C in parts of the country, potentially surpassing the current hottest day of the year.
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Scotland launches winter vaccination programme amid concerns over new Covid variant BA.2.86
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A new highly mutated coronavirus variant, BA.2.86, has been detected in the UK and US, raising concerns over a potential surge in Covid-19 cases.