Health News Roundup: Bird flu may infect cows outside the US, says WHO; First trial over Zantac cancer claims set to begin in Chicago and more

We were finding that the increased labor and operating costs environment, like with reimbursement, both public and private, made it difficult (to run the business) and obvious we had to close," Walmart spokeswoman Marilee McInnis told Reuters. Breast cancer screening should begin at age 40, US panel says Women at average risk for breast cancer should get screening mammograms every other year starting at age 40, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) said on Tuesday, cementing insurance coverage for the procedure for that age group under the law.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Weight-loss drug drives Eli Lilly to raise 2024 sales forecast by $2 billion

Explosive demand and increased manufacturing capacity for Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Zepbound drove the company to raise its annual sales forecast by $2 billion on Tuesday, lifting its shares nearly 5%. Lilly said it expects significant production increases in the second half of the year for its obesity treatment and related diabetes drug Mounjaro, for which most doses are in shortage due to high demand.

Bird flu may infect cows outside the US, says WHO

There is a risk that the H5N1 bird flu virus, present in many wild birds, may infect cows in countries beyond the United States as they migrate, a World Health Organization official said on Tuesday. U.S. officials are seeking to verify the safety of milk and meat after confirming the H5N1 virus in 34 dairy cattle herds in nine states since late March, and in one person in Texas.

Biden administration takes step to make marijuana use a less serious crime

The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday moved to make marijuana use a less serious federal crime, taking a step to reclassify the drug out of a category that includes heroin in a shift that, once completed, would shake up cannabis policy nationwide. Shares of cannabis firms surged following the news. Stocks of pot companies such as Tilray, Trulieve Cannabis Corp, Green thumb Industries were up over 20% in late afternoon trading.

First trial over Zantac cancer claims set to begin in Chicago

The first trial over claims that blockbuster heartburn drug Zantac, once sold by GSK and other companies, causes cancer is set to begin this week in Chicago. Jury selection began on Tuesday before Judge Daniel Trevino of the Circuit Court of Cook County, with lawyers' opening statements expected to follow. GSK is the sole defendant in the trial, after other companies settled.

GE HealthCare misses quarterly revenue estimates on weakness in China market

GE HealthCare Technologies missed first-quarter revenue estimates on Tuesday, hurt by lower sales in China market and weaker-than-expected demand for its scanning devices, sending its shares tumbling as much as 12% before the bell. The medical device maker's revenue from China market, which constitutes nearly 13% of its total revenue, dropped more than 11% in the quarter ended March 31.

Florida abortion clinics and funds face uncertain future on eve of six-week ban

Florida's ban on abortions past six weeks of pregnancy takes effect this week, threatening the future of the state's clinics and abortion funds and forcing patients to travel hundreds of miles to get the procedure. Phones have been ringing off the hook at clinics and funds in Florida ahead of the Wednesday enforcement date, as newly pregnant abortion-seekers scramble to book appointments before they may have to travel as far as Virginia or New York to get an abortion, eight clinic and fund workers told Reuters. Most women are not aware they are pregnant at six weeks.

Japan's Ono Pharma says $2.4 billion Deciphera purchase 'first step' for global expansion

Japan's Ono Pharmaceutical Co said on Tuesday its $2.4 billion takeover of Deciphera Pharmaceuticals is a "first step" in expanding in U.S. and European markets. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Australian regulator examines possible contamination of Indian spice mixes

Australia's food safety agency is collecting information on the possible contamination of spice mixes sold by Indian companies MDH and Everest to decide if a food recall is required, it said on Tuesday, the latest regulator to step up scrutiny. Hong Kong suspended sales this month of three MDH spice blends and an Everest mix for fish curry. Singapore ordered a recall of the same Everest mix as well, flagging high levels of ethylene oxide, which is unfit for human consumption and a cancer risk over long exposure.

Walmart to shut all health clinics in US over lack of profitability

Walmart said on Tuesday it will close all 51 of its health clinics and shut its virtual health care operations, saying it could not see it as a sustainable business model to continue. "Healthcare is expensive to run. We were finding that the increased labor and operating costs environment, like with reimbursement, both public and private, made it difficult (to run the business) and obvious we had to close," Walmart spokeswoman Marilee McInnis told Reuters.

Breast cancer screening should begin at age 40, US panel says

Women at average risk for breast cancer should get screening mammograms every other year starting at age 40, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) said on Tuesday, cementing insurance coverage for the procedure for that age group under the law. The USPSTF's influential recommendation, published in JAMA, reverses its controversial 2009 guidance that breast cancer screening should begin at age 50.

(With inputs from agencies.)