Health News Summary: Monkeypox cases in Spain rise to 186, Health Ministry says; J&J, cancer drug AbbVie dramatically slows progression of rare lymphoma: study and more
Here is a summary of health news briefs.
FACTBOX-Global coronavirus cases surpass 528.44 million, death toll at 6,707,407
More than 528.44 million people have been infected with the new coronavirus worldwide and 6,707,407 have died, according to a Reuters tally. Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.
Factbox-Global infant formula makers are sending products to restock US shelves
Global companies that make infant formula are bringing products to the United States after the country’s health regulator eased its import policy to deal with a nationwide shortage partly triggered by the recall of some products by the US. Abbott Laboratories manufacturing plant in Michigan in February. Importers include Neocate maker Danone SA, while New Zealand dairy giants Fonterra and a2 Milk have filed applications with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to supply infant formula in the United States.
The number of monkeypox cases in Spain rises to 186, according to the Ministry of Health
Spanish health authorities reported 30 new cases of monkeypox on Friday, bringing the total number of infections to 186, the highest in the current outbreak. The viral disease occurs mainly in West and Central Africa and only very rarely spreads elsewhere. But in a current surge of cases, more than 30 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported the disease – with more than 550 confirmed or suspected infections, mostly in Europe.
J&J, cancer drug AbbVie significantly slows progression of rare lymphoma: study
Johnson & Johnson and AbbVie’s best-selling leukemia drug Imbruvica, in combination with standard treatment, has controlled a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for more than two years longer than standard treatment alone in elderly patients , according to data presented on Friday. Patients aged 65 and over with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) received Imbruvica or placebo along with a chemotherapy regimen of bendamustine and the autoimmune drug rituximab.
US doctors urged to test for monkeypox, CDC says risk to public low
On Friday, US health officials urged doctors to test for monkeypox if they suspected cases, saying there could be community-level spread but the overall public health risk remained low. So far, there have been 21 cases of the disease in at least 11 states. Affected patients are self-isolating to help prevent the virus from spreading, officials from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told reporters on a conference call.
North Korea reports 79,100 more people with fever, one new death amid COVID surge
North Korea has reported some 79,100 more people with fever symptoms and one more death amid its first confirmed coronavirus outbreak, state media KCNA said on Saturday. The reclusive country is waging a battle against an unprecedented wave of COVID-19 since declaring a state of emergency and imposing a nationwide lockdown last month, fueling concerns over a lack of vaccines and medical supplies and food.
Factbox-Monkeypox cases around the world
More than 30 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported outbreaks of the viral disease, with more than 550 confirmed or suspected infections, mostly in Europe. The outbreaks are alarming because monkeypox, which is spread by close contact and was first found in monkeys, occurs mainly in West and Central Africa, and only very occasionally spreads elsewhere.
China reports 171 new COVID cases for June 3 from 157 a day earlier
China recorded 171 new cases of the coronavirus on June 3, of which 46 were symptomatic and 125 asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Saturday. That compares with 157 new cases a day earlier – 37 symptomatic and 120 asymptomatic, which China is counting separately.
Bristol Myers bolsters cancer drug portfolio with $4.1 billion Turning Point deal
Bristol Myers Squibb Co announced on Friday that it will acquire drug developer Turning Point Therapeutics Inc for $4.1 billion in cash to bolster its arsenal of cancer drugs. Turning Point’s lead drug, repotrectinib, targets mutations in certain proteins in the body that lead to uncontrolled cell growth.
US FDA warns of heart inflammation risk after Novavax COVID vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has raised concerns about a possible risk of heart inflammation linked to Novavax Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine, even though the company’s data has shown it may reduce the risk of mild to severe illness. In Novavax’s trial of nearly 30,000 patients, conducted between December 2020 and September 2021, four cases of a type of heart inflammation called myocarditis were detected within 20 days of taking the protein-based vaccine.
(With agency contributions.)
