Health Protection and Infectious Health Protection and Infectious Diseases in MertonDiseases in Merton

Julia GroomJoint Consultant in Public Health –Merton

1 December 2010Morden Community Forum

OverviewOverview

• The scale of the problem

• Prevention is better than cure

• What’s been in the news

• What to do, who can help

Infectious diseases are not the main cause of Infectious diseases are not the main cause of illness and deaths in Merton….illness and deaths in Merton….

……but prevention is better than curebut prevention is better than cure

What’s been in the news?What’s been in the news?

• Big story from 2009 pandemic flu

• Measles cases increased in SWL in 2009

• TB rates in UK have been rising over last 20yrs

• Large focus on E-coli cases and farm visits

• HIV/AIDs –World AIDS Day

Pandemic Flu

•

Influenza-like illness in SWL, 2009/10

Source: QSurveillance, HPA

SWL Health Protection Unit 8

Seasonal Influenza ImmunisationSeasonal Influenza ImmunisationTarget Groups include:Target Groups include:

• All those aged 65 years and over

• All those aged 6 months and over in clinical risk group

•All immuno-compromised individuals

•Those living amongst a residential care homes or other long stay care facilities

• Those in receipt of carers allowance and those who are the main carer of the elderly or disabled person

MeaslesMeasles

• Measles can be a serious disease but is preventable with MMR vaccine (2 doses)

• All suspected measles cases are contacted and offered a test to try to confirm the diagnosis.

• There was a significant increase in cases of measles in Sutton and Merton in 2010– From 5 confirmed cases in 2009– To 22 confirmed cases 2010 (14 were linked to an

outbreak in a school)

Childhood ImmunisationChildhood Immunisation

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

• TB is an infectious disease

• Usually affects the lungs• Can affect other parts of

the body• TB IS PREVENTABLE

AND CURABLE• But if not treated, TB

can lead to very severe disease and even death

TB Notification rates are low compared to TB Notification rates are low compared to London but awareness and early treatment is London but awareness and early treatment is

importantimportant

Importance of hand hygiene in controlling Importance of hand hygiene in controlling spread of infection generally spread of infection generally

World AIDS Day:World AIDS Day:11stst December December

www.worldaidsday.org

South West LondonSouth West LondonHealth Protection UnitHealth Protection Unit

• Surveillance • Notifications• Partnership with the local authority and local

NHS• Monitoring trends –across the borough,

schools, care homes• On-call advice and action

www.hpa.org.uk

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Any questions?Any questions?