Health News Roundup: Experts challenge WHO with 'epic' goal to eradicate malaria by 2050; Fifth U.S. death possibly tied to vaping

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Summer heatwaves caused 1,500 extra deaths in France: health minister

Heatwaves in June and July caused about 1,500 more deaths than usual in France over that period, though the figure was far lower than in the summer of 2003, the country's health minister said on Sunday. A total of 1,465 more people than usual died during the hot spells in June and July, up 9.1% on the average for the period, health ministry data shows.

Dead pigs in Philippines test positive for African swine fever

Dead pigs found in some backyard farms in the Philippines tested positive for African swine fever, the country's agriculture chief said on Monday, the first outbreak of the virus detected in the Southeast Asian country. The announcement was based on the results of laboratory tests requested by Agriculture Secretary William Dar after reports last month of an unusual number of pig deaths in backyard farms.

Experts challenge WHO with 'epic' goal to eradicate malaria by 2050

Malaria can be eradicated within a generation and the World Health Organization (WHO) should not shy away from this "goal of epic proportions", global health experts said on Sunday. In a major report that contradicted the conclusions of a WHO-led malaria review last month, 41 specialists said a future free of malaria -- one of the world's oldest and deadliest diseases -- can be achieved as early as 2050.

Amgen drug shrinks lung cancer tumors in half of patients: study

An experimental Amgen Inc drug that targets a specific genetic mutation reduced tumor size in around half of advanced lung cancer patients given the highest dose in a small, early-stage trial, the company said on Sunday. Out of 13 lung cancer patients taking a 960-milligram dose of AMG510, seven had tumors shrink by at least 30%, according to data presented in Barcelona at the World Conference on Lung Cancer. Cancer was stabilized in the other six high-dose patients.

Los Angeles County resident dies of lung illness, fifth U.S. death possibly tied to vaping

A Los Angeles County resident has died from a lung illness possibly tied to vaping, bringing the total number of such U.S. deaths to five, health officials said on Friday. Officials are warning against e-cigarette use as the exact cause of any link between vaping and the lung condition remains unknown.

(With inputs from agencies.)