Health Highlights: June 7, 2018

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

Kate Spade Suffered From Anxiety and Depression, But No Warning Signs of Suicide, Husband Says

American fashion designer Kate Spade suffered from depression and anxiety for years, but there were no warning signs that she would take her own life, husband Andy Spade says.

The 55-year-old designer was found dead at her Manhattan home Tuesday in what police characterized as suicide.

Andy Spade said Wednesday that his wife had bouts of anxiety during their relationship and 24-year marriage, and serious episodes of depression began about six years ago, The New York Times reported.

“Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with her doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives. We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy. There was no indication and no warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn’t her. There were personal demons she was battling,” Andy Spade said.

He said the couple had lived apart for the last 10 months, but there were no plans to divorce. Their daughter, Frances Beatrix, was with her father the night of her mother’s death, The Times reported.

Andy Spade also said neither he nor anyone else in the family had been shown the note left by Kate Spade, but read about it in media accounts. Police said the note told the couple’s daughter she should not feel at fault.

“I am appalled that a private message to my daughter has been so heartlessly shared with the media,” said Andy Spade, The Times reported.

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U.S. Consulate Staff in China Fall Ill After Hearing Odd Sounds

Some employees and family members at the American Consulate in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou were evacuated after they became ill following exposure to odd sounds, State Department officials say.

They added that colleagues and family members of the evacuated employees are being tested by medical officials, The New York Times reported.

The first employee fell ill earlier this spring, and the U.S. government last month advised other employees to seek medical attention if they developed unusual symptoms.

So far this week, another employee, his wife, and their two children were evacuated after experiencing neurological symptoms, and officials said they expect more to be evacuated, The Times reported.

The symptoms resemble those “following concussion or minor traumatic brain injury,” according to the State Department.

The cases in China are similar to those that began in 2016, when American Embassy employees and their families in Havana, Cuba began suffering headaches, nausea, hearing loss, cognitive issues and other symptoms after saying they heard odd sounds. In all, 24 were affected, The Times reported.

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