Week in Review: June 3

The Week in Review provides an overview of the past week’s top health care content, including industry news and trends, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Laboratories news, and upcoming events.


Industry News

Expert: Spread of monkeypox underscores need for physicians to be ready to understand disease

There are now 18 confirmed monkeypox cases in the U.S. and the Infectious Diseases Society of America is urging physicians to ensure they know what to look for and the right questions to ask to diagnose it correctly. Only a small subset of physicians have previously treated monkeypox cases. Via Fierce Healthcare

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Pfizer Completes Application to FDA for Vaccine for Children Under 5 

Pfizer announced yesterday that it completed its emergency use authorization application for its COVID-19 vaccine in children under the age of 5. The FDA advisory committee is scheduled to evaluate the application on June 15. Via The Hill

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Omicron is Outrunning the Vaccines Designed to Fight It 

New omicron variants appear to be more and more immune-resistant and more likely to lead to breakthrough infections. This makes it harder to predict whether retooled COVID-19 vaccines will be effective once released. Via Axios

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Mayo Clinic News

Minnesota Health Officials Confirm First Hepatitis A Case Linked to Strawberries 

Minnesota health officials said yesterday they’ve confirmed one case of hepatitis A in the state linked to organic strawberries. The patient was not hospitalized and has since recovered. Via MPR

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Experimental approach to treating pancreatic cancer heralded as a success

An experimental treatment appears to have been successful in halting the progression of one woman's advanced pancreatic cancer, doctors reported Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. Via NBC News

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Connection is key to supporting multiple sclerosis patients

In this interview, Eoin Flanagan, Neurologist – Mayo Clinic, explains that community connection is of great importance for multiple sclerosis patients. In his view MS patients have faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic - including isolation. They have struggled with travelling to support meetings, and while virtual options exist, dexterity and cognitive issues can make connecting more challenging. Via Omnia Health

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Meghann Southwick

Meghann Southwick is a marketing specialist for Mayo Clinic Laboratories. She has worked at Mayo Clinic since 2021.