Health News Roundup: Nigeria becomes first country to roll out new meningitis vaccine, WHO says; Mexico sounds alarm over 'zombie drug' sedative in opioids and more

Keith Berman, 70, of Westlake Village, California, pleaded guilty last December to securities fraud totaling around $28 million. Seven children die from bacterial infection at Trinidad hospital Seven infants have died in four days from a bacterial infection at Trinidad's Port of Spain General Hospital, said the island's health authorities.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Nigeria becomes first country to roll out new meningitis vaccine, WHO says

Nigeria has become the first country in the world to roll out the "revolutionary" new Men5CV vaccine against meningitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. Nigeria is one of the hotspots of the deadly disease in Africa. Last year, a 50% rise in annual cases was reported across 26 African countries regarded as meningitis hyperendemic countries, according to the WHO.

South Africa recalls J&J's cough syrup sold in six African nations after suspected toxicity

South Africa's health regulator said on Saturday it is recalling batches of Johnson & Johnson's children's cough syrup after detection of high levels of diethylene glycol. The affected batches were sold in South Africa, Eswatini, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, the statement added.

Mexico sounds alarm over 'zombie drug' sedative in opioids

Mexican public health officials are sounding an alarm after a study discovered the presence of animal tranquilizer Xylazine in opioids in cities on the country's northwest border with the United States. Known popularly in English by names like "tranq dope" and "zombie drug," Xylazine cut into heroin and fentanyl has in recent years worsened the opioid scourge in U.S. cities like Philadelphia.

Spanish drug maker Grifols will bring in independent directors, chairman tells newspaper

Spanish drug maker Grifols, battling a plunge in its share price this year, plans to add independent directors to its audit and compensation committees to improve its governance, its chairman said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday. Grifols' market value has shed billions of euros since short-sheller Gotham City Research released three reports in early January accusing the company of overstating earnings and understating debt. Grifols has repeatedly denied the claims.

US biotech executive sentenced to 7 years in jail for COVID test fraud

The chief executive of a U.S. biotechnology company that falsely promised investors it could produce a quick and accurate COVID-19 test was sentenced to seven years' in jail on Friday, the Justice Department said. Keith Berman, 70, of Westlake Village, California, pleaded guilty last December to securities fraud totaling around $28 million.

Seven children die from bacterial infection at Trinidad hospital

Seven infants have died in four days from a bacterial infection at Trinidad's Port of Spain General Hospital, said the island's health authorities. The Port of Spain General Hospital is the main health care facility in the island's capital city.

(With inputs from agencies.)