1. Health Protection and Infectious Diseases in Merton Julia Groom Joint Consultant in Public Health –Merton 1 December 2010 Morden Community Forum

2. Overview The scale of the problem Prevention is better than cure What’s been in the news What to do, who can help

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

4. …but prevention is better than cure

5. 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

6. Pandemic Flu

7. Influenza-like illness in SWL, 2009/10 Source: QSurveillance, HPA

8. SWL Health Protection Unit8 Seasonal Influenza Immunisation 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

9. Measles 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)

10. Childhood Immunisation

11. 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

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

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

15. World AIDS Day: 1 st December www.worldaidsday.org

16. South West London Health 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

17. 17 Any questions?