FDA Approves Canakinumab for Gout Flares
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved canakinumab (Ilaris) for the treatment of gout flares in adults who cannot be treated with NSAIDs, colchicine, or repeated courses of corticosteroids. The drug is also indicated for people who could not tolerate or had an inadequate response to NSAIDs or colchicine. Full Access: Medscape
Â
US Has New Dominant COVID Variant Called EG.5
The strain EG.5 now accounts for 17% of all U.S. COVID infections, according to the latest CDC estimates. That’s up from 12% the week prior.Â
EG.5 has been rising worldwide, just weeks after the World Health Organization added the strain to its official monitoring list. Full Access: Medscape
Â
RSV State Trends
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and caregivers about increases in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity across some parts of the Southeastern United States in recent weeks, suggesting a continued shift toward seasonal RSV trends observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Access: CDC
Â
Severe Vibrio vulnificus Infections in the United States Associated with Warming Coastal Waters
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health departments about recent reports of fatal Vibrio vulnificus (V. vulnificus ) infections, including wound and foodborne infections. The CDC is urging healthcare professionals to consider V. vulnificus as a possible cause of infected wounds that were exposed to coastal waters, particularly near the Gulf of Mexico or East Coast, and during periods with warmer coastal sea surface temperatures. Full Access: CDC
