Public health news: November 2005

Free HIV tests for all in Lesotho

29 November 2005

The landlocked Southern African kingdom of Lesotho is to offer free HIV testing to its entire population of 1.9m in a bid to slow down the spread of the disease. There is currently a 29% prevalence of HIV amongst young adults in Lesotho.  In a bold PR move the King of Lesotho may publicly take the test this week.

Land where everyone from King down has Aids test  (Times, November 2005)
Lesotho to offer free HIV tests (BBC News, November 2005)

Domestic violence a serious problem worldwide

25 November 2005

A report by the World Health Organization amongst 24,000 women in 10 (mostly developing) countries revealed that between 30-60% had been subject to physical or sexual abuse from a partner in the past. The report recommends strengthening the promotion of gender equality, developing programmes for primary prevention of violence, improving support systems and sensitizing criminal justice systems to partner violence.

WHO multi-country study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women (WHO, November 2005)

STI diagnoses up 60% in a decade

25 November 2005

A new report by the HPA has confirmed an alarming rise in the number of sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in the UK.  Three quarters of new cases of HIV contracted in the UK are amongst MSM (men who have sex with men) and the rate of new diagnoses in this group is the highest since 1990.

Public thinks STIs are 'trivial' diseases  (Guardian, November 2005)
Mapping the Issues - HIV and other STIs in the UK (HPA, November 2005)

Drinking laws relaxed

23 November 2005

From midnight the traditional 11pm closing time of pubs in the UK will be no more.  The Licensing Act allows premises to apply for late licences to sell and serve alcohol - including 24h licences.  The original rationale behind the new law was to limit the pattern of concentrated drinking prevalent in the UK by spreading out consumption over a longer period, thus tackling 'binge' drinking and reducing the burden on police.  However, public opinion in recent months appears to have swung against the legislation, with arguments that it will actually increase bingeing and overall consumption of alcohol, being levelled.  The police and hepatologists nationwide await the outcome.

'A third of pubs' to open longer  (BBC News, November 2005)
Third of alcohol outlets to extend hours  (Guardian, November 2005)

Seasonal influenza vaccine shortage

22 November 2005

Stocks of the annual flu jab are running out, possibly due to individuals seeking the vaccine in the mistaken belief it protects against bird flu or any forthcoming pandemic influenza.

Winter flu jab stocks running low  (BBC News, November 2005)

A third of cancers due to modifiable factors

21 November 2005

A report in this week's Lancet suggests that 35% of cancer cases worldwide are due to environmental and behavioural risk factors which would potentially benefit from intervention.

Danaei et al, Lancet 366:1784-1793  (Lancet, November 2005)

China confirms two cases of human H5N1

17 November 2005

China has confirmed its first two cases of bird flu in humans, one of whom survived and the other died.  Given the recurrent outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry in China in recent months, evidence of human infections to date has been scarce but anticipated.  Indonesia has also reported two further human deaths from bird flu.

Avian influenza - update 41  (WHO, November 2005)
Two Indonesians die from bird flu  (BBC News, November 2005)
Flu pandemic planning  (Internal link)

Caution on total smoking ban in prisons advised

17 November 2005

The head of the Prison Service has suggested that any smoking ban in prisons should be restricted to public areas, with prisoners still entitled to smoke in their own cells if they wish.

Prison chief's smoke ban warning  (BBC News, November 2005)

H5N1 may be adapting better to humans

14 November 2005

The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has apparently reported that genetic studies carried out by them on the avian influenza virus circulating in SE Asia, H5N1, shows it is adapting better to mammals.  Some reports also suggest strains may be becoming resistant to oseltamivir and amantadine, two antivirals against influenza.  Confirmation of these findings and their interpretation is awaited; if found to be correct they would suggest a worrying step closer to a pandemic flu.

Vietnam lab reports H5N1 mutation  (Taipei Times, November 2005)
Vietnam has new bird flu suspects as virus spreads  (Reuters AlertNet, November 2005)
Pasteur Institute, HCMC, Vietnam  (Pasteur Institute, November 2005)

More work to be done on STIs in prison

14 November 2005

A report published today by the Prison Reform Trust and the National AIDS Trust highlights the ongoing need for further intervention to stop the spread of HIV and HCV in Britain's prisons.  The report surveyed Prison Healthcare managers across the country and findings included no sexual health policy in half of establishments.  Prison healthcare is currently transferring from the Home Office to the NHS, with an expected completion of April 2006.

Many prisons failing on HIV and Hepatitis C  (Prison Reform Trust, November 2005)
Call for free condoms in prisons  (BBC News, November 2005)
Prison health  (Internal link)

E-learning helps spread health protection message

11 November 2005

An education module on Doctors.net.uk, written by the Health Protection Agency, has won an award for e-learning.  3000 UK doctors have so far taken the module since September 2005, suggesting such schemes have a lot of potential in the education of health professionals.

Health Protection Agency wins online training award  (HPA, November 2005)

Plans to extend nurse prescribing dramatically

10 November 2005

The Government has announced its intention that nurse prescribers should be able to prescribe virtually any formulary drug with the exception of controlled drugs.  The plan would involve further training in prescribing and usually would be in an area of a nurse's specialist interest - e.g. diabetes or heart disease.  The controversial proposals have met with criticism from the BMA but are due to come into force from spring 2006.

Nurse and pharmacist prescribing powers extended (DH, November 2005)
Nurse prescribing plans opposed (BBC News, November 2005)

International meeting on pandemic flu finishes

10 November 2005

A meeting in Geneva hosted by the World Health Organization has identified the next steps involved in combating a potential influenza pandemic.  A World Bank presentation estimated costs to affected countries of over US$1bn over the next 3 years if a pandemic were to occur.  This estimate excluded the cost of antivirals and research.

Global influenza meeting sets key action steps  (WHO, November 2005)

Generic oseltamivir to be made by Vietnam

9 November 2005

Roche has agreed that Vietnam can start making generic oseltamivir (Tamifluâ„¢) from next year.

Vietnam to produce bird flu drug  (BBC News, November 2005)
Flu pandemic planning (Internal link)

Proposal for two GPs per person

8 November 2005

Patients may be able to register with two family doctors - one near work, and one near home - under plans which may be form part of a Government white paper in the next few months.

Patients 'to get two-GP option'  (BBC News, November 2005)

Novel tool to recruit smokers

6 November 2005

British American Tobacco are reported to be preparing to launch a 'safer cigarette' in 2006 with claims that it will significantly reduce the concentration of carcinogen in inhaled tobacco smoke.  As one epidemiologists succintly puts it, "these new cigarettes could be more like jumping from the 15th floor instead of the 20th: theoretically the risk is less but you still die."  Quite.

'Safe cigarette' claimed to cut cancer by 90% (Sunday Times, November 2005)

No cover-up of flu cases in Asia

4 November 2005

A team from the Medical Research Council has found no evidence of unreported cases of avian influenza in humans in China and Vietnam, to the relief of many.  China was heavily criticised for misleading reporting of SARS cases in 2003.

Asia 'not hiding bird flu cases'  (BBC News, November 2005)

Large drop in African measles

3 November 2005

Measles cases have dropped by 60% in Africa in part due to routine immunisation programmes.

Measles cases & deaths fall by 60% in Africa (WHO, November 2005)

Delays to Choose & Book

1 November 2005

The ability to choose providers of secondary care electronically during a GP consultation as part of the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT) in the UK, will be delayed.  This technology (known as Choose & Book) was due to be available across the UK from the end of the year.  It is still envisaged that such choice will be available, albeit in a non-electronic form.

Hospital booking 'a year behind'  (BBC News, November 2005)
National Programme for IT  (NHS Connecting for Health, November 2005)

New flu pandemic planning tool published

1 November 2005

Barnett et al have presented a comprehensive, dynamic planning tool based on the Haddon Matrix for tackling a potential flu pandemic.

Barnett et al, PLoS Medicine 2(2)  (PLoS Medicine, November 2005)
Flu pandemic planning (Internal link)