Health Highlights: July 21, 2017

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

Linkin Park Singer Chester Bennington Dead at 41

Chester Bennington, the lead singer of the rock band Linkin Park, has died at age 41 in what is being investigated as a possible suicide.

The death was confirmed by Brian Elias, the chief of operations for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, The New York Times reported.

He said law enforcement authorities responded to a call shortly after 9 a.m. Pacific Time and were conducting a death investigation in Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles County.

Speaking on behalf the band, Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda said in a tweet: “Shocked and heartbroken,” and added that the group will be issuing a statement, The Times reported.

Bennington was open about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.

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Fresno Program Aims to Eliminate Zika-Carrying Mosquitoes

In an effort to reduce the swarms of Zika virus-carrying mosquitoes in Fresno, Calif., officials will release millions of male mosquitoes that have been infected with bacteria that makes the blood suckers unable to reproduce.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are an invasive species that arrived in California’s Central Valley in 2013. Along with Zika, they can also carry dengue fever and chikungunya viruses, the Washington Post reported.

When male mosquitoes which don’t bite that are infected with the Wolbachia bacteria mate with female mosquitoes, the females’ eggs don’t hatch.

Through the program, Fresno County officials hope to reduce the numbers of of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes generation by generation, eventually eliminating them from the area, the Post reported.


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