Tag Archives: public health

THE region is “at risk of a measles outbreaks” due to low uptake of the MMR vaccine since the pandemic, according to the director of Public Health for the HSE Mid-West. Late last month the first case of measles in the Mid-West for four years was detected, Dr  Mai Mannix confirmed during a recent briefing of the HSE to Clare County Council. The case, the first in the country for 2022, involved an individual living in the Mid-West who had been in East Africa where there is a large ongoing outbreak of the disease. Clare’s uptake of the vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella is at 89.1%, however this falls short of the 95% vaccination rate needed for immunity, she told the meeting. Neighbouring Limerick’s uptake of the vaccine is lower again at 82.8%. She stressed the best protection is MMR vaccination, however the uptake rate has declined since the Covid-19 pandemic. “We are working hard with our community colleagues …

Clare County Council has teamed up with the creators of internet animation series Sminky Shorts to launch a new environmental initiative which aims to change dog owner behaviour in relation to dog litter. Funded under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s Anti Litter Awareness Grant Scheme, the 80-second animated short highlights the responsibility of dog owners to clean up after their dog and features two cartoon pug dogs humourously conversing at the Cliffs of Moher. “The Sminky Shorts clip is a promotional tool and fun way to bring attention to the need for dog owners to take responsibility for their animals litter” explained Karen Foley, Environmental Awareness Officer with Clare County Council. “The clip will be used on Facebook and Twitter as a means of helping promote awareness of our Green Dog Walkers scheme and will also be included in part of our primary schools litter awareness programme,” she added Green Dog Walkers is a new scheme …

MINIMUM pricing will lead to reduction in alcohol-fuelled crime in Ireland and save lives, according to a leading research expert in the field has asserted. Professor Tim Stockwell told the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality this Tuesday that minimum pricing has led to a reduction in crime and deaths due to alcohol in Canada and would have similarly positive results if introduced in Ireland. Alcohol Action Ireland, the national charity for alcohol-related issues, and Professor Stockwell, Director at the Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, addressed the Committee on alcohol-related crime and the potential of minimum pricing to reduce it. The Committee heard that alcohol plays a key role in crime in Ireland and the type and severity of alcohol-related offences are wide-ranging, from public order offences to violent assault and manslaughter, while alcohol-fuelled crime also puts a huge strain on Garda resources and costs the State an estimated €1.2 billion annually. Professor Stockwell presented his latest …