D.C. Week: FDA Turns Down New Indication for Ezetimibe

(MedPage Today) -- And, CMS releases core clinical quality measures

Genes, bugs and radiation: WHO backs new weapons in Zika fight

By Ben Hirschler LONDON (Reuters) - Countries fighting the Zika virus should consider new ways to fight disease-carrying mosquitoes, including testing the release of genetically modified insects and bacteria that stop their eggs hatching, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. "Given the magnitude of the Zika crisis, WHO encourages affected countries and their partners to boost the use of both old and new approaches to mosquito control as the most immediate line of defense," it said. The WHO also highlighted the potential of releasing sterile irradiated male mosquitoes, a technique that has been developed at the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In war on Zika mosquito, Brazil vows worry-free Olympics

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Saturday launched a door-to-door "war" on mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus, vowing they will not jeopardize the Rio Olympics in August. "The situation does not compromise the Olympics," Rousseff said as she joined soldiers in a nationwide campaign to teach citizens how to fight the outbreak. Rio de Janeiro will host the Summer Games August 5 to 21, drawing athletes and spectators from around the world.

New York moves to stop gay conversion therapy for youths

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York is taking steps to stop therapists from trying to change young people's sexual orientation, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday, joining a number of states that have acted against what's known as gay conversion therapy.

Colombia sees Guillain-Barre syndrome spike amid Zika cases

More than 22,600 cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in Colombia, which is seeing a sharp increase in a rare neurological disorder linked to the disease, authorities said Saturday. The news comes one day after Colombia, the country hit the second-hardest by the mosquito-borne disease after Brazil, announced three deaths which it blamed on Zika. The patients died after contracting the virus and developing the rare neurological condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome, according to Colombia's National Health Institute (INS).