Health Highlights: Sept. 4, 2018

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

Singular Asthma Tablet Bottles Recalled

Some bottles of Singulair (montelukast) tablets for asthma have been recalled by Camber Pharmaceuticals because they contain the wrong medication, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

Bottles labeled as containing 30 tablets of 10-milligram montelukast sodium tablets instead contain 90 tablets of Losartan Potassium tablets, ABC News reported.

There is a safety risk because taking Losartan when not prescribed can cause kidney problems, elevated potassium levels and low blood pressure. The risk can be especially high for pregnant woman because Losartan could harm or kill the fetus, the FDA said Friday.

The recalled bottles have the following lot numbers: MON17384, expiration date: 12/31/2019, and NDC: 31722-726-30, ABC News reported.

Patients who have the recalled bottles should contact their health care provider or pharmacist immediately, the FDA said.

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Ground Chuck Products Recalled by Publix Super Markets

Possible E. coli contamination has triggered the recall of ground beef products made from chuck that were sold at Publix Super Markets in Florida.

The products were bought by consumers between June 25 and July 31, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said.

Officials have identified 18 cases of E. coli O26-caused illness that began between July 5 and July 25. All of the patients ate ground chuck products bought at various Publix Super Markets. Most of the patients were in Florida.

The supplier of the ground chuck products has yet to be determined, and the investigation is continuing, FSIS said.

The agency said it’s concerned that some of these recalled products may be in people’s freezers. Consumers with these products should be throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

Most people infected with E. coli O26 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Most people recover within a week, but some develop a more severe infection, FSIS said.

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Drinking Water Turned Off in All Detroit’s Public Schools

Due to elevated levels of lead or copper in drinking water at some schools, drinking water being turned off in all of Detroit’s public schools.

Students will use bottled water and water coolers when they return to school Tuesday, Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said in statement Wednesday, CNN reported.

Recent tests revealed “higher than acceptable levels … (of) copper and/or lead” in at least one water source — such as a fountain or sink — at 16 of 24 schools, he said.

There is no evidence of elevated levels of lead or copper at more than 50 other schools, but officials are waiting for test results from those schools, Vitti said.

Drinking water was already shut off at 18 other schools because of previously identified problems with water quality, Vitti said.

“Out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of our students and employees, I am turning off all drinking water in our schools until a deeper and broader analysis can be conducted to determine the long-term solutions for all schools,” Vitti said, CNN reported.

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