Trending News Today: San Diego Hepatitis A Outbreak Continues to Spread

The hepatitis A virus continues to spread through San Diego, with the death total rising to 16, according to the Los Angeles Times. The county Health and Human Services Agency reported that the number of confirmed cases reached 421, up 23 from last week. Furthermore, the number of hospitalizations rose from 279 to 292. A local public health emergency was declared on September 1, 2017, and the county enhanced their sanitation campaign with the installation of hand-washing stations in areas where homeless residents gather. Public health officials said that because the incubation period for hepatitis A can last anywhere from 15 to 50 days, it could take several months before the positive effects of the campaign become apparent, the LA Times reported.

On Wednesday, “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli was sent to jail after a judge found he violated his bail with a social media positing that posed a threat to Hillary Clinton, according to The Washington Post. Shkreli created a post offering a $5000 bounty to anyone who could grab him one of Clinton’s hairs while on her book tour. Defense attorneys argued the post was satire, but US District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto revoked Shkreli’s $5 million bail, saying the offer could be taken seriously and viewed as a “solicitation of an assault.” Shkreli awaits his January 16, 2018, sentencing at a federal jail in Brooklyn. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

As shareholder-activist pressure continues to build, Tenet Healthcare Corp is exploring its options. According to The Wall Street Journal, these options include a potential sale of the for-profit hospital chain. Individuals familiar with the matter said Tenet is working with investment banks Barclays and Lazard on different options, and has begun to arrange meetings with potential buyers.