ABSTRACT
A large outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infection occurred in Northern Ireland during September and October 2004. Typing of isolates from patients confirmed that this strain was indistinguishable from that in concurrent outbreaks in regions of England, in Scotland and in the Isle of Man. A total of 130 cases were distributed unequally across local government district areas in Northern Ireland. The epidemic curve suggested a continued exposure over about 4 weeks. A matched case-control study of 23 cases and 39 controls found a statistically significant association with a history of having eaten lettuce in a meal outside the home and being a case (odds ratio 23.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4-404.3). This exposure was reported by 57% of cases. Although over 300 food samples were tested, none yielded any Salmonella spp. Complexity and limited traceability in salad vegetable distribution hindered further investigation of the ultimate source of the outbreak.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Foodborne Diseases/epidemiology , Salmonella Infections/epidemiology , Salmonella enterica/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bacterial Typing Techniques , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , England/epidemiology , Female , Foodborne Diseases/microbiology , Humans , Infant , Lactuca/microbiology , Male , Middle Aged , Northern Ireland/epidemiology , Salmonella enterica/classification , Scotland/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
This paper provides local data on the provision of services for patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1996 prior to the reorganisation of cancer services. It documents a service for 140 patients provided by 80 consultant teams and illustrates the need for reorganisation to meet the evidence base already in existence for improvement in survival and will serve as a baseline for future audits in this area.
Subject(s)
Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis , Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Ireland/epidemiology , Middle Aged , National Health Programs , Ovarian Neoplasms/epidemiology , Registries , Retrospective Studies , Survival AnalysisABSTRACT
Since the introduction of the Abortion Act 1967 the legality and status of abortion in Northern Ireland, being excluded from the provisions of the 1967 Act, has remained shrouded in uncertainty. In light of the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998, this article will explore whether this inconsistency in the UK is in breach of the provisions laid down in Articles 8 and 14. It will be shown that while compelling arguments can be built under these provisions, perhaps the most persuasive arguments in favour of law reform are the inequities that the current legal regime has perpetuated.
