[July 22, 2008]

AP Health NewsBrief at 12:14 p.m. EDT

(AP Online Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) FDA finds salmonella strain in jalapeno pepperWASHINGTON (AP) _ Government inspectors finally have a big clue in the nationwide salmonella outbreak: They found the same bacteria strain on a single Mexican-grown jalapeno pepper handled in Texas _ and issued a stronger warning for consumers to avoid fresh jalapenos. But Monday's discovery, the equivalent of a fingerprint, doesn't solve the mystery: Authorities still don't know where the pepper became tainted _ on the farm, or in the McAllen, Texas, plant, or at some stop in between, such as a packing house.

Quest: Repairing more hearts with implanted pumpsWASHINGTON (AP) _ When it comes to hearts, Taneal Wilson won the lottery. A small pump implanted to keep the 31-year-old alive long enough for a heart transplant somehow helped Wilson's ravaged heart completely recover instead. Only a lucky few are ever weaned off those implants, their rested hearts able to work on their own again. How to duplicate those successes is one of cardiology's biggest questions _ as a new generation of the heart pumps begins U.S. testing.

Schering-Plough, Merck's Vytorin misses study goalTRENTON, N.J. (AP) _ In the latest disappointment for cholesterol pill Vytorin, a major European study in patients with heart valve disease found the drug didn't prevent worsening of the disease or lower the need for valve surgery, sending its makers' stock plunging. Results of a preliminary analysis of the just-completed study showed Vytorin, marketed jointly by Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp., was no better than placebo at lowering the risk of major cardiovascular events _ including heart attack, stroke, heart surgery and death _ in patients with aortic stenosis.

Health officials tout computer prescribingWASHINGTON (AP) _ Those hard-to-read scribbled prescriptions from doctors could soon become a rarity. Beginning Jan. 1, the federal government will boost Medicare's payments to doctors that send prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy rather than writing them out on paper and handing them to the patient. The widespread adoption of electronic prescribing is expected to save taxpayers as much as $156 million over the next five years and save lives, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said Monday.

WHO says Asia should act against tuberculosisTOKYO (AP) _ The World Health Organization urged Asian countries on Monday to take action against the growing threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis, warning that even more virulent forms of the disease could spread if they fail to do so. WHO said many Asian countries lack adequate laboratory facilities to detect multidrug-resistant TB, and only 1 percent of the estimated 150,000 people infected with the disease in East Asia and the Pacific are receiving appropriate treatment.

Singapore says will study kidney donor paymentsSINGAPORE (AP) _ Singapore will study the possibility of paying some kidney donors to help meet demand for kidney transplants, the city-state's health minister said Monday. The Health Ministry will examine the feasibility of providing payments to unrelated donors to augment the supply of kidneys, Khaw Boon Wan said in Parliament, acknowledging that the suggestion has stirred controversy.

Tomato scare ending; fears linger for many peopleWASHINGTON (AP) _ The tomato scare may be over, but it has taken a toll _ it's cost the industry an estimated $100 million and left millions of people with a new wariness about the safety of everyday foods. An Associated Press-Ipsos poll finds that nearly half of consumers have changed their eating and buying habits in the past six months because they're afraid they could get sick by eating contaminated food.

Singapore to examine kidney tradingSINGAPORE (AP) _ Singapore is considering legalizing kidney trading to help meet demand for kidney transplants, the city-state's health minister said Monday. The Health Ministry will examine the feasibility of providing payments to unrelated donors to augment the supply of kidneys, Khaw Boon Wan said in Parliament, acknowledging that the suggestion has stirred controversy.

A 540-calorie Big Mac? NY chains post calorie infoNEW YORK (AP) _ Customers at big fast-food chains in New York City are finally facing the facts about their meal choices. And for some, the truth may be hard to swallow _ like 1,130 calories for a Big Mac, medium fries and a medium soda. After months of resistance, the city's chain restaurants have begun obeying a first-of-its-kind rule requiring them to post calorie counts right on the menu.

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