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2007-9-3 13:49:44 |
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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay: Bird Flu Outbreaks Reported on Poultry Farms in England, Japan Avian flu eruptions among the world's poultry population continue unabated. Two outbreaks of bird flu during the past two days in countries half a world apart indicate the resiliency of this strain, which scientists continue to monitor in hopes that it doesn't mutate into a type that could be transmitted between humans More than 2,600 turkeys died on a farm in the Suffolk County region of England, according to United Press International, and health officials confirm that the flu virus was the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza. Because of the outbreak, U.P.I. reports, another 159,000 will be slaughtered to try and bring it under control. No human cases of avian flu were reported in England, the wire service said. Worldwide, 270 incidents of humans contracting the disease have been reported, and 164 were fatal, according to the World Health Organization. However, scientists say there has been no evidence that any of the human cases were caused by person-to-person contact. Meanwhile, a fourth outbreak of bird flu in the past week has occurred in Japan, according to the Associated Press. About two dozen chickens were affected in the same poultry farm area south of Tokyo that has already prompted the destruction of hundreds of thousands of birds. ----- Drug Addiction Medicine May Offer New Crohn's Disease Treatment Another possible use has been found for naltrexone, a medication already used to relieve symptoms of alcohol and drug addiction and also being tested as an appetite suppressant. A news release from the Penn State College of Medicine says that a low dose of naltrexone may help relieve symptoms of Crohn's disease, an inflammation of the intestine. Researchers found in a pilot study that 89 percent of the participants showed an improvement -- easing of inflammation -- with naltrexone and therapy, and 67 actually had their Crohn's go into remission. The findings, published in a early on edition of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, caused researchers to become hopeful about alternative treatments for Crohn's, which affects about 500,000 Americans. The disease has been typically treated with immune-suppressing steroids or corticosteroids, and this can cause dangerous side effects. "This is a novel approach to treating a common disease, and it's simple, it's safe, and it costs far less than current standards of treatment," the news release quotes lead research Dr. Jill P. Smith as saying. "We don't yet know the exact mechanisms involved in how it works, but we're working on that, as well." ----- Texas 1st State to Mandate That Girls Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine Texas Governor Rick Perry on Friday signed an executive order making his state the first to require that schoolgirls receive the Gardasil vaccine against cervical cancer. "If there are diseases in our society that are going to cost us large amounts of money, it just makes good economic sense, not to mention the health and well-being of these individuals, to have those vaccines available," he told the Associated Press. The vaccine -- which was approved for use by the federal government in June -- has proven highly protective against the most common strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), the cause of most cases of cervical cancers. Beginning in September of 2008, all Texan girls entering the sixth grade (at about 11-12 years old) will receive the three shots of Gardasil needed to confer immunity, the AP reported. Issuing an executive order allowed Perry, a Republican, to circumvent potential opposition in the state legislature from conservative groups who have voiced concern that routine HPV vaccination of young girls promotes premarital sex and interferes with parents' rights. Perry has said, however, that he sees little difference between the cervical cancer vaccine and immunization against diseases such as polio. The Texas move has gotten the backing of Gardasil's maker, Merck, which the AP says has doubled its lobbying budget in the state. According to the news agency, Merck could realize billions in sales if vaccination with Gardasil, which costs $360 for the three-shot regimen, is made mandatory for girls across the US. |
