Reuters Health News Summary

The incident comes after a series of official investigations last year related to the issuance of fake birth certificates at a time when China is trying to boost its birth rate. China should boost number of ICU beds, state agencies say China should increase the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds over the next few years as part of its public health measures, several state agencies recommended in a joint statement published on Monday.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

How bird flu could threaten cow cuddling. Yes, it is a thing.

Farmer Luz Klotz straightened the brightly striped hair bow on Reba, a 1,600-pound heifer lounging on the ground under twinkling fairy lights. Teenager Joey Pachl, hoping to impress his girlfriend with an invitation to the high school prom, had paid $75 for an hour-long cow cuddling session at the farm. Pachl successfully wowed animal loving girlfriend Emma. For Luz and husband Dan Klotz, such visitors have become key to covering the feed bills and keeping their small farm running.

Global health heavyweights team up for climate, disease funding

Three of the biggest global health funders have joined forces for the first time in a $300 million partnership aimed at tackling the linked impacts of climate change, malnutrition, and infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. The Novo Nordisk Foundation, Wellcome and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the research partnership, focused particularly on finding affordable solutions for people in low and middle-income countries, in Denmark on Monday.

China's health body probes hospital after surrogacy claims

China's National Health Commission said it was investigating a hospital in the southwest megacity of Chongqing for its alleged involvement in surrogacy, which is illegal in China, after wide circulation of the issue on social media. The incident comes after a series of official investigations last year related to the issuance of fake birth certificates at a time when China is trying to boost its birth rate.

China should boost number of ICU beds, state agencies say

China should increase the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds over the next few years as part of its public health measures, several state agencies recommended in a joint statement published on Monday. The world's second most populous country has gradually increased ICU beds over the years, but critics say its health system remains under-resourced and it was severely stretched after authorities abruptly ended national COVID pandemic restrictions in late 2022.

BioNTech says 90% of 2024 revenues will accrue at end of year

Germany's BioNTech, whose COVID-19 vaccine in partnership with Pfizer was widely used during the pandemic, said on Monday that almost all of its expected 2024 revenues would come in at the end of the year. BioNTech, which is investing money earned during the pandemic in cancer drug development, said in a statement that it is still targeting 2024 revenues in a range of 2.5 billion euros ($2.69 billion) to 3.1 billion euros.

Gossamer Bio and Chiesi Group to collaborate in therapy for lung condition

Gossamer Bio said on Monday it will collaborate with Italian drugmaker Chiesi Group to develop and commercialize its therapy seralutinib in multiple indications related to high blood pressure due to constriction of lung arteries. The therapy is currently in late-stage development for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which affects about 40,000 people in the United States.

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