Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Glass Fragments Spur Recall of Lean Cuisine Products
Reports of glass fragments in some Lean Cuisine ravioli dinners
has prompted Nestle Co. to recall certain lots of the product,
according to a company press release posted Friday.
The voluntary recall of Lean Cuisine Culinary Collection
Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli comes after three consumers reported
they "found small fragments of glass in the ravioli portion of the
entree," Nestle said in the news release. The company added that no
injuries were reported by consumers.
The recall involves products with two production codes:
2311587812 and 2312587812, both carrying "best before dates" of DEC
2013. Since these lots of the product were produced early last
November, Nestle believes few remain on store shelves. However, the
company is asking consumers hat they check their freezers for the
recalled products.
If the recalled meal is found, consumers should not eat it but
instead contact Nestle Consumer Services at 866-586-9424 or
leancuisine@casupport.com for a replacement coupon, the company
said in the news release, which was posted on the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration website.
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Britain Identifies World's 10th Case of Virus Linked to SARS
British health officials say they have identified the world's
tenth known case of a viral infection that appears related to the
SARS virus.
All of the prior cases of this emerging coronavirus have been
located in the Middle East, the
Associated Pressreported. However, the World Health
Organization said in 2012 that the virus is probably more
widespread.
The latest case arose in a British resident who had been in the
Middle East and Pakistan, the
APsaid. The patient is currently being treated in the
intensive care unit of a Manchester hospital, according to a
statement released Monday by Britain's Health Protection
Agency.
Coronaviruses include pathogens that can cause the common cold
and SARS, an infection that emerged in 2003 and killed 800 people
worldwide.
So far, patients with the new virus have typically experienced
acute breathing difficulties and kidney failure. There is no proof
as of yet that the infection spreads easily between people, and
experts suspect humans are catching it from animals such as camels
or bats, the
APsaid.
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Surgical Mesh Makers Sued by Thousands of Women
Lawsuits filed by thousands of women allegedly harmed by
surgical mesh implanted in their pelvic region will start being
heard this year by a U.S. federal court in West Virginia.
More than 6,000 federal lawsuits have been filed against
vaginal-mesh manufacturers by women who claim the porous, plastic
implants have caused them severe pain and suffering, the
Associated Pressreported. Most had the mesh inserted to
treat weak pelvic muscles, which can cause a prolapsed uterus,
meaning the uterus slips down into the vaginal canal.
The mesh received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for
pelvic organ prolapse in 2002. Similar mesh products had been used
for decades in other surgeries, including hernia repair. Based on
those earlier implants, the FDA approved the pelvic mesh without
requiring the tests normally needed for new devices, according to
the
AP.
In 2008, the FDA acknowledged problems with the pelvic mesh, and
in 2011 it said as many as 10 percent of women were experiencing
trouble within 12 months of implantation. In some cases, the mesh
shifted, eroded or led to infections, the news agency reported.
Besides the 6,000-plus cases consolidated in West Virginia,
state courts have received thousands of similar lawsuits. Last
July, a case against vaginal-mesh maker C.R. Bard resulted in a
$5.5. million award to a California woman.
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