Health News Roundup: African swine fever; DRC Ebola outbreak; AstraZeneca's diabetes drug curbs heart failure
Following is a summary of current health news briefs.
Current Ebola outbreak is worst in Congo's history: ministry
The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the most severe in the country's history with 319 confirmed and probable cases, the health ministry said late on Friday. The hemorrhagic fever is believed to have killed 198 people in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, where attacks by armed groups and community resistance to health officials have complicated the response.
New drug options, risk factors added to U.S. heart guidelines
Updated U.S. guidelines on heart health advise more personalized assessment of risk as well as two newer types of cholesterol-lowering drugs for people at particularly high risk of heart attack or stroke. The recommendations from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, last issued in 2013, acknowledge recent research showing the benefit of very low levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol, which contributes to fatty plaque buildup and narrowing of arteries.
African swine fever found in animal feed raises China's contagion risk
Major Chinese animal feed maker Tangrenshen Group reported on Sunday that feed produced by one of its units had been contaminated with African swine fever, raising fears of its spread further across the country. This is the first reported contamination of feed supplies in China and increases the concerns for pig farmers trying to avoid the disease. It also raises the economic pressure on feed manufacturers already struggling with low margins and slowing demand.
AstraZeneca's diabetes drug curbs heart failure, kidney risks
The biggest clinical trial so far to assess a new class of diabetes pills shows that AstraZeneca's Farxiga can prevent heart failure and cut the risk of kidney problems in a broad range of patients. However, the medicine - belonging to a class of treatments known as SGLT2 inhibitors - failed to show a statistically significant benefit in preventing heart attacks or strokes, even in patients with established cardiovascular (CV) disease.
China proposes new laws on vaccine management
China has proposed new draft laws on vaccine management which seek to tighten the supervision and management of how vaccines enter the country's market and will also require stricter management of their production, research and distribution. The State Administration for Market Regulation, which published the draft laws on its website late on Sunday, is soliciting public views up to Nov. 25.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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