Health News Roundup: Bird flu reaches mainland Antarctica for first time, scientists say; Roche evaluates options for its lung disease drug and more

So far this year, 28 people have died from dengue, official data shows, in the midst of a heat wave and heavy rains, which are favorable conditions for the reproduction of mosquitoes that transmit the disease. South Korea gives protesting doctors end-Feb deadline to return to work South Korea's government on Monday told young doctors they had until the end of February to return to work or risk being punished for staging a week-long protest that has disrupted services for patients at several major hospitals.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Providence Health beefing up India workforce to serve more clients

U.S. hospital chain Providence Health will more than double its India headcount to 3,500 people next year as it ties up with more hospital operators to provide services such as bolstering cybersecurity and helping doctors manage their paperwork. The tie-ups will help generate a new revenue stream for the not-for-profit hospital operator, which reported net operating losses in each of the first three quarters of 2023.

US pharmacy outage triggered by 'Blackcat' ransomware at UnitedHealth unit, sources say

Hackers working for the 'Blackcat' ransomware gang are behind the outage at UnitedHealth's technology unit that has snarled prescription deliveries for six days, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. The problems began last week after hackers gained access to Change Healthcare's information technology systems and has led to disruptions at pharmacies across the United States.

Boehringer eyes obesity, fatty liver drug launch in 2027 or 2028

German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim said it hopes that drug candidate survodutide, co-developed to treat obesity and fatty liver with Zealand Pharma, could be launched in 2027 or 2028, contingent on favourable trial data. Carinne Brouillon, in charge of Boehringer's Human Pharma unit, told Reuters on Monday it was not yet clear in which one of the two targeted indications the drug would first be launched.

BioMarin Pharma gets DOJ subpoena on sponsored testing programs for two therapies

BioMarin Pharmaceutical has received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice seeking information about the company's sponsored testing programs related to two treatments, the therapy maker said in a filing on Monday. Shares of the firm fell 1.65% to $89.74.

Bird flu reaches mainland Antarctica for first time, scientists say

A deadly type of bird flu has been confirmed on the mainland of Antarctica for the first time, scientists said, a potential risk for the southern region's huge penguin colonies. "This discovery demonstrates for the first time that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus has reached Antarctica despite the distance and natural barriers that separate it from other continents," Spain's Higher Council for Scientific Investigation (CSIC) said on Sunday.

What Alabama ruling means for patients with frozen embryos: one woman's story

Three of Kristia Rumbley's embryos created at a clinic became her 7-year-old twins and 2-year-old son, while three have sat in freezers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for eight years in case she and her husband decide to have another kid. After Alabama's supreme court ruled on Feb. 16 that embryos were children, leaving it unclear how to legally store, transport and use them, Rumbley, 44, is seeking legal and medical advice on sending her last two embryos out of state as soon as possible.

Roche evaluates options for its lung disease drug

Swiss drugmaker Roche said on Monday it is evaluating options for its lung disease drug Esbriet, which has seen declining sales due to competition from cheaper copycat versions. A company spokesperson said in an emailed response to Reuters that the move was "part of the normal process to review (its) portfolio of established products", adding that it will take several months before a final decision is made.

Peru to declare emergency in parts of country amid rise in dengue fever cases

Peru will declare a health emergency in parts of the country in the midst of a hike seen in dengue fever cases, the South American country's health minister said on Monday. So far this year, 28 people have died from dengue, official data shows, in the midst of a heat wave and heavy rains, which are favorable conditions for the reproduction of mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

South Korea gives protesting doctors end-Feb deadline to return to work

South Korea's government on Monday told young doctors they had until the end of February to return to work or risk being punished for staging a week-long protest that has disrupted services for patients at several major hospitals. Two-thirds of the nation's residents and intern doctors had walked off the job to protest a government plan to increase the number of students admitted to medical school in a bid to address what authorities say is a shortage of doctors that is set to worsen in one of the world's fastest ageing societies.

GSK's gonorrhoea drug meets main goal in late-stage trial

British drugmaker GSK said on Monday its oral drug to treat gonorrhoea met the main goal of non-inferiority, compared to an existing combination treatment, in a late-stage trial. The drug, called gepotidacin, is being developed to treat adults and adolescents with the sexually transmitted infection, which affects about 82 million new people globally each year and increases the risk of HIV infection.

(With inputs from agencies.)