Health News Summary: Aged care in Australia; African swine flu and cholera updates

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Australia to start powerful public inquiry into aged-care sector

Australia will begin a public inquiry, or Royal Commission, into the country's aged-care sector as a spike in cases of elderly abuse creates a "disturbing trend", Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday. The inquiry comes at a time when the number of Australians moving into residential care is set to jump, with the population aged 65 years and above, according to official data, forecast to more than double to 8.9 million by 2055.

China reports new African swine fever outbreak in Inner Mongolia

A new outbreak of African swine fever occurred on a farm in northern China's Inner Mongolia, the agriculture ministry said on Monday, the second in the region, as the highly contagious disease continues to spread rapidly across the world's top producer of pigs. Eight hogs were dead and 14 were infected on the farm of 159 animals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on its website.

Many babies still being injured in infant walkers

Babies in the U.S. are being injured in infant walkers at a rate of more than five per day, a new study finds. While the number of injuries has dropped significantly over the last three decades, there are still far too many, researchers say. Between 1990 and 2014, there were 230,676 infant-walker related injuries in children younger than 15 months, researchers estimate based on data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.

Saudi Arabia reports cholera infection in southern province

Saudi Arabia confirmed one cholera infection and three other suspected cases in an area bordering Yemen, where an epidemic has killed more than 2,000 people, state TV reported on Sunday, citing a health ministry official. The report said the patients, identified only as non-Saudis, were receiving care at al-Mauwassem General Hospital in Jizan, about 1,000 km (620 miles) southwest of the capital, Riyadh.

Global health regulators find second toxin in common heart drug

European and North American regulators have found a second toxin that may cause cancer in humans in a commonly used blood pressure drug made by Chinese firm Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co Ltd. Health regulators in the European Union, United States and Canada had already recalled drugs made with the company's active pharmaceutical ingredient valsartan after finding traces of the chemical N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), considered a potential human carcinogen, in the medicine.

Baby-aspirin risks overwhelm benefits in healthy elderly

In healthy elderly people who never had a heart attack, the widespread practice of taking a baby aspirin every day may do more harm than good, according to a U.S.-Australian study of more than 19,000 volunteers. The trial has "provided convincing evidence that aspirin is ineffective in preserving good health in elderly people without a medical (reason) to be using it," chief author Dr. John J. McNeil of Monash University in Melbourne told Reuters Health in an email.

Coke, Aurora in talks to make cannabis-infused drinks: BNN Bloomberg

Coca-Cola Co is in talks with cannabis producer Aurora Cannabis Inc to make marijuana-infused beverages, Canadian news service BNN Bloomberg reported on Monday. The companies would likely develop health-focused beverages that will ease inflammation, pain, and cramping, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

China's pig fever outbreak a boon for chicken farmers

An outbreak of African swine fever in China is proving to be a windfall for chicken farmers, helping drive up prices of the country's second-most popular meat to two-and-a-half year highs. With pork in short supply as authorities try to contain the highly contagious disease, shoppers are turning to chicken as a substitute, with some diners also concerned about safety.