What We're Reading: Pediatric Flu Deaths; Pre-Cut Melon Salmonella Outbreak; FDA Reprimands AbbVie

Pediatric Flu Deaths

Pre-Cut Melon Salmonella Outbreak

AbbVie Fails to Properly Probe Death Complaints

Officials from the CDC said that they had received reports of 172 pediatric flu deaths since October, marking the deadliest flu season for children in nearly a decade, according to AP news. During the 2012 to 2013 season, there were 171 reported deaths, while an average flu season sees about 110. This year’s flu season lasted 19 weeks, peaking in February, and was driven by a strain of the flu that tends to put more people in the hospital and cause more deaths, according to the report.The CDC has reported that pre-cut melons are likely the source of a salmonella outbreak that has affected at least 60 people in 5 states. On Friday, Caito Foods recalled fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fresh-cut fruit medley products containing 1 of these melons produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Recalled products were distributed in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.The FDA has reprimanded Abbvie for what it called sloppy procedures when reviewing complaints of deaths reported in connection to 3 of its drugs, reported STAT news. Following an inspection at a North Chicago, Illinois facility last year, FDA examiners concluded that AbbVie failed to thoroughly investigate complaints over syringe kits for leuprolide acetate (Lupron). The drug maker also allegedly failed to properly include complaint information that cited deaths related to venetoclax (Venclexta) and adalimumab (Humira).