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Features
This section contains links to features on public health topics and other areas of special interest to the Chief Medical Officer, as well as current news items. Older features can be found in the Features Archive.
What to do in case of a heatwave
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Whilst most of us enjoy sunny weather, the extreme heat of a heatwave can be seriously damaging to the health, and can sometimes be fatal. This article provides information about who is at risk during a heatwave, and advice about what to do in case of a heatwave, and has been updated with new information for 2008.
Flu watch 2008/09
Tuesday 17 February 2009
The annual influenza, or 'flu jab', campaign was launched on 3 October 2008, to encourage people at risk from the complications that can be associated with flu to get immunised.
This feature is the latest update on the impact of flu on public health.
Bird flu and pandemic influenza: what are the risks?
Monday 30 June 2008
A severe form of avian influenza or bird flu – called H5N1 – has affected poultry flocks and other birds in several countries since 2003. More than three hundred people have also caught the infection, over two hundred of whom have subsequently died, raising public concern about the possibility of further spread among humans and even a pandemic. This regularly updated feature explains the background to the disease, and assesses the nature of the risk to people living in the UK.
More body donations needed to sustain medical education, training and research
Thursday 19 April 2007
While the number of people in England and Wales donating kidneys, livers and other organs has increased since 2000, the number of people leaving their whole body for medical science has fallen. Between 2000 and 2005 the number of body donations fell from 670 to 600. This has meant that some schools no longer have sufficient for their teaching needs.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
Friday 21 April 2006
This CMO feature provides background information and links covering key issues and concerns about Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and the related Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
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