Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Stanford Faculty Members Cleared in Gene-Edited Babies Case
There was no wrongdoing on the part of three Stanford University faculty members in connection with a Chinese scientist who claimed to have created the world’s first gene-edited babies, the university said Tuesday.
The faculty members did not participate in or have financial or other ties to the work by scientist He Jiankui, and tried to discourage him from pursuing the research, according to a Stanford statement, the Associated Press reported.
Rice University in Houston is continuing to investigate the possible role of one of its faculty members, a spokesman said.
The scientist He said he altered the genes of twin girls when they were embryos in order to protect them against possible future infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The work was condemned as unethical and medically unnecessary by scientists worldwide, the AP reported.
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Israeli Flight Attendant in Coma After Getting Measles
An Israeli flight attendant who contracted measles is in a coma after developing inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), health officials say.
Encephalitis is a well-known and potentially deadly complication of the virus. The 43-year-old woman was otherwise healthy before getting measles, CNN reported.
“She’s been in a deep coma for 10 days, and we’re now just hoping for the best,” said Dr. Itamar Grotto, associate director general of Israel’s Ministry of Health.
She developed a fever on March 31 and was admitted to hospital that day.
Grotto said the flight attendant for Israeli national airline El Al might have contracted measles in New York, in Israel or on a flight between the two. She is not believed to have spread the virus to anyone on the flights, CNN reported.
Measles outbreaks in Israel and the United States have been triggered by parent who refuse to vaccinate their children, health officials say.
“I knew this was going to happen sooner or later,” Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University and an adviser to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines, told CNN.
“We have the reintroduction of a serious viral infection with a population that’s withholding the vaccine from their children, and now it’s spreading beyond that population,” Schaffner said.
Like many in her generation, the flight attendant received only one dose of the measles vaccine when she was a child. It was later discovered that one dose is only about 93% effective, while two doses is 97% effective, CNN reported.
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Raw Tuna Linked to Salmonella Outbreak in Seven States: CDC
A salmonella outbreak linked to frozen, raw ground tuna from Jensen Tuna has sickened 13 people in seven states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
The illnesses began between Jan. 8 and March 20 of this year. Two people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
On April 15, Jensen recalled the frozen, raw ground tuna that was individually packed in one-pound bags and sold in 20 pound boxes with lot numbers z266, z271, and z272.
The tuna was distributed to all seven states where illnesses have been reported — Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York and Washington — but may have been redistributed to other states, according to the CDC.
The investigation is continuing, the agency said.
Restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve recalled frozen, raw ground tuna from Jensen. Consumers who order sushi made with raw tuna, including “spicy tuna,” should ask the restaurant or grocery store if the tuna is supplied by Jensen Tuna.
Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
Contact your health care provider if you think you may have become ill from eating raw tuna sushi, the CDC said.
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Singer Bebe Rexha Has Bipolar Disorder
Singer Bebe Rexha says she has bipolar disorder.
She revealed her diagnosis of the mood disorder in a series of tweets Monday, NBC News reported.
“For the longest time, I didn’t understand why I felt so sick. Why I felt lows that made me not want to leave my house or be around people and why I felt highs that wouldn’t let me sleep, wouldn’t let me stop working or creating music,” the 29-year-old wrote. “Now I know why.”
Bipolar disorder affects about 60 million people worldwide and is characterized by alternating highs and lows in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to perform day-to-day activities, NBC News reported.
Other celebrities who have revealed a diagnosis of bipolar disorder include rapper Kanye West and Mariah Carey.
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Some Batches of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Recalled for Undeclared Tree Nuts
Certain batches of Ben & Jerry’s Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk and Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey pints may contain undeclared tree nuts that could put people with an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts at risk for a life-threatening allergic reaction.
The products, which have been recalled by Unilever, may contain tree nuts such as almonds, Brazil nuts and hazelnuts, but do not declare tree nuts on the ingredient list or allergy information list, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.
The products do have a “Contains Walnuts” and a “May contain other tree nuts” on the label.
The recalled Ben & Jerry’s Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk product is sold in a 2.4 gallon tub with a Consumer UPC of 076840104246 and best by date of SEP1520BJ4.
The recalled Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey pint is sold in a tub (473 mL) with a Consumer UPC of 076840100354 and best by dates of AUG2820BH2, AUG2920BH2, or AUG3020BH2.
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