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HLTHThe Guardian

Flu cases rise on west coast earlier than usual as US health experts encourage vaccine

Photo: Matt Rourke/AP

California flu test rate at 9.65%, higher than normal 1% rate for early October, amid mutation of H1N1 influenza A strain Flu cases on the west coast are on the rise months earlier than normal, prompting US health experts to stress the importance of the annual vaccine. Flu activity typically ramps up in December, hitting its peak in February. But this season has kicked into action earlier this year, with higher positive cases than normal recorded.

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HLTHBBC News

Private care home investors a risk to public sector, regulator says

Private companies buying up care homes for older people in England could undermine the government's ambition to create a universal care service , the regulator says. The Care Quality Commission's annual report , external highlights how an increasing share of the care home market is owned by large firms - the five biggest have increased their share of the market by 26% in the last two years, driven by interest from US property investors. Between them they own around one in seven homes.

HLTHThe Guardian

Controversial US-backed vaccine trial in African newborns halted

Hepatitis B study in Guinea-Bissau that was to be funded by CDC and that drew global backlash ‘will not move forward’ The US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in African newborns that drew global backlash was halted, the lead researcher said on Wednesday. It was “now clear” that the study “will not move forward in Guinea-Bissau”, Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, a Danish researcher, wrote on LinkedIn, adding, “we were not given the necessary governmental approval.”

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