Ebola 2014: Setting up a port health screening programme at an international train station.

An outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) began in Guinea in December 2013 and was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization in August 2014. In October, the UK government tasked Public Health England (PHE) to set up EVD screening at key ports. The key aim of port-of-entry screening was to identify passengers coming from areas with high risk of EVD, and give them advice to raise their awareness of symptoms and what actions to take.

An outbreak of invasive group A streptococcal infection among elderly patients receiving care from a district nursing team, October 2013 - May 2014.

Between October 2013 and April 2014 five elderly patients living within a 2 square mile radius, were admitted to local hospitals with severe group A streptococcal cellulitis and septicaemia. Molecular typing confirmed four patients for whom typing results were available to have the same gene sequence type, st89. An outbreak investigation was launched and identified that each patient had received care interventions from a district nursing team at their home or local health clinic in the 7 days prior to onset of symptoms.

Patterns of early transmission of pandemic influenza in London - link with deprivation.

Background: During the early containment phase in England from April to June 2009, the national strategy for H1N1 pandemic influenza involved case investigation and treatment, and tracing and prophylaxis of contacts.

Objective: To describe the relationship between early transmission of H1N1 pandemic influenza in London and age and socio-economic status.

Methods: Epidemiological data on cases of pandemic flu in London reported to the London Flu Response Centre were analysed to determine patterns of transmission.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: setting up a multi-agency regional response centre--a toolkit for other public health emergencies.

The H1N1 pandemic emerged from Mexico in April 2009. In the UK, local Health Protection Units were quickly overwhelmed with calls from health professionals seeking public health advice on this novel virus. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) led the initial response and established regional flu response centres (FRCs).

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in the community: assessing the problem and controlling the spread.

Although health care-associated methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and clostridium difficile strains are primarily a risk to hospital patients, people are increasingly concerned about their potential to circulate in the community and the home. They are thus looking for support in order to understand the extent of the risk, and guidance on how to deal with situations where preventing infection from these species becomes their responsibility. A further concern are the community-acquired MRSA and C.