Reuters Health News Summary

09/12/2016 8:57

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

For one Zika patient, lingering symptoms and few answers

It began with what felt like a punch in the throat. I assumed it was irritation from the cigar I'd smoked on my deck that afternoon in mid-June. But the sensation hung on. Within three days, I had a 102-degree Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) fever, chills and bed-drenching night sweats.

Bullets trump rehab as Asia quickens 'failing' war on drugs

The Philippines has launched a bloody "war on drugs" that has killed at least 2,400 people in just two months, while neighboring Indonesia has declared a "narcotics emergency" and resumed executing drug convicts after a long hiatus. In Thailand and Myanmar, petty drug users are being sentenced to long jail terms in prisons already bursting at the seams.

Sanofi, Google parent in $500 million diabetes joint venture

French drugmaker Sanofi and Google owner Alphabet's life sciences firm Verily are to invest about $500 million in a diabetes joint venture combining devices with services, an example of growing ties between the pharma and tech sectors. Sanofi, which made the announcement on Monday, said last year it was working on a partnership with Google in diabetes.

Thai authorities downplay Zika risk, worried by tourism impact

Health and city officials in Thailand downplayed risks from rising infections from the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is linked to serious birth defects, and expressed concern that disclosing information would damage its tourism industry. On Friday the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC) warned of the increasing spread in Thailand of Zika, which can cause microcephaly in unborn children.

Eight pregnant women among 329 infected by Zika in Singapore: government

Eight pregnant women have been infected by the Zika virus among the 329 cases in Singapore, the government said on Sunday. Doctors are providing close support and counseling, the Ministry of Health and National Environment Agency said in a joint statement.

GSK sells anesthetics to Aspen for up to $370 million

GlaxoSmithKline is to sell its portfolio of anesthetic drugs to South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare for up to 280 million pounds ($372 million) as part of a drive by the British drugmaker to focus on core therapy areas. The two firms, which have a long history of working together, said on Monday that Aspen would pay 180 million pounds for the products Ultiva, Nimbex, Tracrium, Mivacron and Anectinein, plus up to 100 million pounds in milestone payments.

09/12/2016 8:57