A recent study has revealed a surprising connection between systemic lupus erythematosus and the Epstein-Barr virus, which is prevalent in 95% of the population. This finding has sparked interest in the potential role of viruses in autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile, the world is grappling with a concerning development: the first human case of bird flu in the United States in nine months, identified by health officials in Washington. This discovery comes as the World Health Organization reports eight potential cases of a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Ethiopia. In other health news, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for organic moringa leaf-containing products made by Food to Live due to potential Salmonella contamination. The FDA also announced that FDA inspections going back years identified safety concerns at several plants owned by ByHeart, the baby formula company tied to a botulism outbreak that has hospitalized at least 15 infants. The parents of at least two babies sickened in the outbreak are suing ByHeart. In other news, the Trump administration's drug pricing deals may have limited impact for patients on Medicaid, where out-of-pocket costs are already capped. The KFF poll also found that 27% of insured GLP-1 agonist users had to cover the entire drug cost. The opioid crisis continues with a plan to settle thousands of lawsuits against OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, which appears to have broad support. Additionally, conservative think tanks have pushed back against President Trump's proposal to substitute enhanced premium tax credits under Obamacare with direct payments for healthcare spending. Lastly, the bill to end the government shutdown included tightened restrictions on hemp-derived delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and Gilead announced that an investigational single-tablet regimen for HIV treatment proved noninferior to a multi-tablet regimen in a phase III trial.
