1) Local Health News
a) I can finally see clearly
ZB (6 Sep, p6) reported on the Eye Care Day organised by the Adventist Home for the Elders, noting that needy elderly residents in Bishan and Toa Payoh received free eye checks by optometrists and eye specialists. The report noted that a total of 117 residents came forward for the eye checks, and 73 of them will also be receiving free glasses to improve their vision.
2) Other Health News
a) H1N1, bird flu are still threats: Expert
ST (6 Sep, pA11) reported a leading virus expert’s warning to health authorities to stay vigilant even though the recent Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic was less deadly than expected. Speaking to reporters on sidelines of an influenza conference in Hong Kong, Dr Robert Webster, chairman of the virology and molecular biology department at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, predicted that the next pandemic could be sparked by a virus that spreads from water fowl to pigs and then to humans - such as the H5N1 strain of bird flu which has killed 300 people over the past seven years. According to Dr Sylvie Briand, head of the WHO’s global influenza programme, its surveillance currently showed that the bird flu strain is not capable of "jumping between humans except in rare cases of close personal contact". However, she added that it is difficult to predict when - or if - bird flu might set off a new pandemic as viruses are constantly evolving. Scientists are said to be closely monitoring mutations by influenza viruses although it is hard to determine which mutations are most likely to spread among humans.
b) Cholera outbreak ‘covered up’ in China
TDY (6 Sept, p18) reported off AFP that China covered up a cholera outbreak for 12 days, fearing that publicity would shock the local population. The Anhui Health Department’s website reported that 38 people contracted cholera since 16 Aug and the outbreak was under preliminary control, with only five patients hospitalised and no deaths reported. Internet chatrooms, however, had rumours that several people died from this outbreak. State media has criticised the government for the cover up and its refusal to alert the local population. Anhui health officials, on the other hand, have stated that they were powerless when it comes to releasing information as they had to get senior officials approval. ST (6 Sep, pA11) and TNP (Sep 6, p11) carried similar reports.
c) Abbott drops plans to sell vaccines unit
BT (6 Sep, p 21) reported off AP that Abbott Laboratories has abandoned plans to sell its vaccines unit, less than three months after exploring sales talks with rival companies. The report noted that Abbott decided to keep the unit after exploring various options, citing that the decision was made in the best interest of Abbott and the vaccines business. The report added that Abbott’s vaccine unit came about from the US$6.2 billion acquisition of Belgium-based Solvay Pharmaceuticals earlier in February and that Solvay's flu vaccine Influvac was initially seen as one of the key products in the transaction, giving Abbott an entry into the burgeoning vaccines market currently dominated by European companies.
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