Health Highlights: June 20, 2016

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Reduce Yellow Fever Vaccine Dose to Cope With Shortage: WHO

The standard dose of yellow fever vaccine should be reduced by 80 percent in emergencies, the World Health Organization says.

The reduced dose, which would provide immunity for at least 12 months, was recommended as a way to cope with a worldwide vaccine shortage caused by a mass immunization in Angola, BBC News reported.

The disease has killed more than 300 people in Angola since December and there has been a spike of cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This has led to the distribution of 18 million doses of yellow fever vaccine in Angola, DR Congo and Uganda.

WHO said global supplies of the vaccine have already been depleted twice since February and that reduced dosing would only be used as a temporary measure in emergency situations where there is a vaccine shortage, BBC News reported.

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Frozen Peas and Mixed Vegetables Recalled

Not-ready-to eat frozen green peas and frozen mixed vegetables are being recalled by National Frozen Foods Corporation due to possible contamination with listeria bacteria.

The products were distributed in retail stores across the United States between Sept. 2, 2015 and June 2, 2016. Consumers should not eat the products, and can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Listeria infection can be serious and sometimes deadly in young children, elderly or frail people and others with weak immune systems, and can cause miscarriages and stillbirth in pregnant women.

No illnesses linked with the recalled products have been reported, according to the company.

For more information, call National Frozen Foods at 1-800-253-8269 Monday Friday 8.am to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.


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