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First Child Double Hand Transplant Announced in U.S.

An eight-year-old American has become the world's youngest recipient of a transplant of both hands, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia announced Tuesday.

Surgeons operated for 10 hours to carry out the incredibly complicated surgery on Baltimore native Zion Harvey. 

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Study Finds Promising Experimental MERS Vaccine

An experimental vaccine for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) showed promising results in animal testing, sparking an immune system response that could lead to a vaccine for people, researchers said Tuesday.

Currently there are no licensed vaccines for MERS, which first appeared in 2012 and has caused numerous scares including a recent deadly outbreak in South Korea.

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Study: 'Leaky' Vaccines may Strengthen Viruses

Defective or 'leaky' vaccines may lead to even more powerful viruses, according to a study on poultry that raises concerns about vaccine development in humans.

When a vaccine works as intended -- such as for smallpox, polio and measles -- it protects those vaccinated and prevents the transmission of the virus.

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EU Suspends Sale of 700 Generic Drugs Made in India

European Union nations have until August 20 to suspend the sale of some 700 generic drugs made in India, the EU's executive confirmed on Monday.

The European Commission took the action after an Indian firm contracted by drug companies to test the medications was found to have manipulated data.

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Study: Data Analyses Back Sanofi Dengue Vaccine

A dengue vaccine candidate by French drugmaker Sanofi protects more than three quarters of participants, an analysis found Monday.

The experimental drug allowed 80.8 percent of children aged nine and older to avoid hospitalization, according to three trials analyzed by the New England Journal of Medicine.

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South Korea Declares End to MERS Outbreak

South Korea on Tuesday declared the effective end to a deadly outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) that killed 36 people, triggered widespread panic and stymied growth in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

Addressing a meeting of government officials in Seoul, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn said the danger posed by what was the biggest outbreak of the virus outside Saudi Arabia was over.

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Beverage Group Sues City over Soda Warnings, Advertising Ban

The American Beverage Association has sued the city of San Francisco, claiming new legislation requiring health warning labels on sugary beverages and prohibiting advertisements of them on city property violates the First Amendment.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/1CZREzp) the association filed the lawsuit on Friday.

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Abou Faour Urges People against Burning Piling Garbage, Calls for Patience

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour urged the people on Monday to adopt a number of precautions when tackling the ongoing trash disposal crisis.

He called on them against burning waste that has overflowed in dumpsters, warning of cancer hazards it presents.

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Alarm Sounded over Myanmar's Betel Habit

As he manoeuvres his taxi through the barely moving traffic of downtown Yangon, Myo Min Htaike's jaw methodically pounds a pulpy mass of nuts and tobacco, his teeth stained a dark blood-red.

Plying his trade in the seemingly eternal gridlock of Myanmar's now booming commercial hub, he is more than used to spending long days on the roads and "kun ja" -- better known as betel nut or quid -- is the one thing that keeps him going. 

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Sierra Leone President Unveils Post-Ebola 'Battle Plan'

Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma has unveiled a post-Ebola "battle plan" to help the west African country turn the page on the devastating epidemic.

"Beyond the immediate nine-month recovery period, we will commence a two-year plan during which we must resolve to restore Sierra Leone to the path to prosperity," Koroma said in a statement released Friday.

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