The Ebola death count in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 36, with a total of 43 cases -- 16 confirmed and 27 probable -- as shown by the latest World Health Organization data. According to Reuters, 40 health workers are being vaccinated against the disease.
Italy is on the verge of passing legislation overturning the country's recent law that required all children to be vaccinated against measles and other infectious diseases to enter state schools. According to the Italian website The Local, some political organizations "pledged during the election campaign to scrap the vaccination law."
With tick-borne infections increasing throughout the U.S., more research is needed on improved diagnosis and treatment regimens for Lyme disease and other such diseases, two researchers argued. (JAMA Viewpoint)
Shire abruptly ended phase II trials for SHP626 (volixibat), an experimental drug being developed for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with liver cirrhosis, with no explanation. (FierceBiotech)
China has started to recall "defective vaccine products," which included expired vaccine fluids, from overseas markets as well as its own country. (AP)
Extended-release naltrexone was associated with fewer heavy drinking days in HIV-positive patients who were heavy drinkers, although it had no impact on other outcomes, such as antiretroviral therapy adherence, undetectable viral load, and CD4 count. (AIDS and Behavior)
Hologic said its Group B Streptococcus assay, Panther Fusion -- claimed to detect bacteria with 100% sensitivity and specificity -- was granted FDA clearance.
The first part of a phase II trial for the investigational therapy inarigivir, to be used as part of combination therapy to treat hepatitis B, yielded positive results, according to drugmaker Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals. A phase II trial with Gilead Sciences to study inarigivir co-administered with tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg for patients with chronic hepatitis B will also be expanded.
A study found that interventions are needed to increase the uptake of HIV testing among Hispanic and older individuals. Notably, the research found that Hispanics were less likely to receive testing compared with non-Hispanic participants. (Medicine)
Researchers at Florida International University received a patent for a device said to detect Zika in less than 40 minutes without the use of a laboratory -- "faster than any other test on the market." (Miami New Times)