State Reports Human Plague Case; Lloyd Austin Admitted Again; Man Dies Mid-Flight

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Oregon reported its first case of human plague in more than 8 years, which may have been transmitted by a pet cat; the patient responded well to antibiotics. (NBC News)

Another bird flu case in Cambodia has been reported, now in the brother of a boy who died of the virus last week. (AP)

The U.S. is investigating an alleged $2 billion Medicare scam said to involve urinary catheters that were never ordered or received. (Washington Post)

Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized again, with symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue, and placed in the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. (AP)

A federal report described President Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory” and “diminished faculties,” but experts say any diagnosis would require a close medical assessment. (New York Times)

In light of the Biden report, a neuropsychologist weighs in on aging and memory. (STAT)

Novo Nordisk settled two lawsuits against a medical spa and weight-loss clinic that claimed they used knockoff versions of the pharmaceutical company’s diabetes and obesity drug semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy). (Reuters)

The FDA cleared Fresenius’ 5008X Hemodialysis System for patients with kidney diseases, the company announced.

A 63-year-old passenger en route from Thailand to Germany died mid-flight, reportedly after blood spewed out of his mouth and nose; fellow travelers said the man boarded looking visibly ill, with cold sweats and rapid breathing. (New York Post)

A debate is brewing over when doctors should declare someone dead. (NPR)

Is the Drug Enforcement Administration making the ADHD medication shortage worse? (CBS News)

The push to develop new treatments for fungal infections has been stymied by multiple barriers, including competition from fungicides for farming. (NBC News)

Oral rehydration salts — a cheap and effective preventive for potentially deadly diarrhea in children — is underprescribed. Why? (Washington Post)

“Suncoast,” a new film on Hulu, explores what it means to be the sibling of a child in hospice care. (NPR)

In case you missed it, Pfizer’s Super Bowl ad featured Einstein, Galileo, music from Queen, and more. (Fierce Pharma)