Deadly E. Coli Outbreak in Europe
At least 18 people have died and more than 1,700 have been sickened in Germany from an outbreak of a new strain of E. coli.
The source of the outbreak remains unknown, but health officials are warning against eating some raw vegetables until the outbreak can be traced. The strain is causing a high number of kidney failures, making it one of the deadliest E. coli outbreaks ever.
Cell Phones Possibly Carcinogenic
Radiation emitted by cell phones is “possibly carcinogenic” and could be associated with some increased risk for brain cancer, a World Health Organization panel of experts declared this week.
The group categorized mobile devices in the carcinogenic category 2B, similar to chemicals like DDT and engine exhaust. But the experts stressed that a direct link is still not clear and more study is needed.
Rate of New HIV Infections Dropping
The global rate of new HIV infections each year dropped 25 percent from 2001 to 2009, according to new data from UNAIDS.
But more than 34 million people around the world still have HIV and about 9 million people in low- and middle-income countries who need antiretroviral therapy are not receiving it. Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of the first reported case of HIV.
Vatican Rejects Condoms for HIV Prevention
At a Vatican-hosted AIDS conference this week, Catholic authorities sharply criticized condoms as an ineffective HIV prevention that encourages immoral behavior.
HIV advocates had hoped the Church might signal that use of condoms could be justified in certain situations to prevent transmission of the disease, and UNAIDS head Michel Sidibe praised the pope for opening new dialogue on the issue. The Church instead focused on promising new research showing HIV treatment can be highly effective for prevention.
Bahrain Doctors’ Fate Uncertain
Bahraini police fired rubber bullets at protesters Friday, just two days after a state of emergency first declared during anti-government protests in March was lifted Wednesday.
The fallout from the earlier protests continues for the 47 medical workers the government will put on trial for charges including cooperating with protestors and denying some patients care—charges that some humanitarian groups refute. Reuters reports some medical workers have also been fired or forced to close their practices in the aftermath of the protests.
(Source: newshour.pbs.org)
