In Response To Zika’s Spread, Public Health Labs Expand Testing Capacity
The Wall Street Journal reports that 12 California public health labs are preparing to start performing Zika tests; five others already do. Meanwhile, in Florida, officials announce another case of locally transmitted Zika.
The Wall Street Journal:
Zika Virus’s Spread Pushes Testing Labs To Expand Capacity
As summer drew near, the nation’s health officials took stock of whether they could handle a surge in demand for Zika diagnostic tests if disease-carrying mosquitoes began to proliferate. A survey of state and local laboratories found enough capacity to perform 3,500 to 5,000 tests a week for the Zika virus. But that wouldn’t be enough to meet demand under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s worst-case scenario for a domestic Zika outbreak. (Evans, 8/26)
Health News Florida:
Officials Announce Another Local Transmission In Palm Beach County
Florida officials announced a new locally transmitted Zika case Wednesday—this time in Palm Beach County. It’s the second case stemming from local mosquitos in the county, but officials say the two cases aren’t connected.During an interview on Fox News, Governor Rick Scott attempted to put the state’s Zika cases in context. (McCarthy, 8/25)
In news about Theranos' controversial diagnostics business —
The Wall Street Journal:
Theranos To Appeal Regulatory Sanctions
Silicon Valley startup Theranos Inc. said late Thursday it plans to appeal a decision made last month by regulators to revoke its license to operate a lab in California, among other penalties, because of unsafe practices. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that oversees U.S. labs, also banned Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes from the blood-testing business for at least two years. (Ng, 8/25)