Report tracks birth defects

Nearly 8 million children each year are born with birth defects that are genetic in origin, and 70 percent of them could be prevented or mitigated, according to the first worldwide study commissioned by the March of Dimes.

In the absence of treatment, at least 3.3 million of the children die before age 5, while 3.2 million are disabled for life, according to the study released Monday.

“Our report identifies for the first time the severe and previously hidden global toll of birth defects,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, March of Dimes president. “This is a serious, vastly unappreciated and under-funded public health problem.”

The absolute incidence ranges from a high of 82 birth defects per 1,000 births in Sudan to a low of 39.7 per 1,000 in France. More than 94 percent of birth defects and deaths occur in middle- and low-income countries, according to Dr. Christopher P. Howson of the March of Dimes, a co-author of the report.

The authors estimate that hundreds of thousands of other birth defects occur because of environmental factors, such as congenital rubella, congenital syphilis, iodine deficiency and fetal alcohol syndrome.

Dallas

Ricin vaccine success reported

An experimental vaccine for the deadly toxin ricin has passed its first test in people, scientists reported Monday.

Volunteers injected with the vaccine mounted an immune response, producing antibodies capable of neutralizing the toxin.

Ricin, a compound extracted from castor beans, is toxic when eaten, breathed or injected. Even small amounts can lead to organ failure and death. Because castor beans are readily available, ricin is classified as a biological agent that could easily be used as a terrorist weapon. No large-scale attacks have been documented, but in recent years, ricin has been sent to the White House and a U.S. Senate office building.

BETHLEHEM, Pa.

Needle found in canned soup

A supermarket chain pulled soup cans from the shelves of its stores in six states after a family reported finding a sewing needle in a sealed can of minestrone, officials said.

The incident was the fourth report of needles or pins found in food purchased from stores in the Bethlehem area in the past two weeks.

The allegedly tampered can of Progresso Vegetable Classics Minestrone was purchased Saturday at a Giant Food Store in Wind Gap. Company spokesman Dennis Hopkins said store personnel pulled cans with similar lot numbers from shelves of all stores as a precaution.

GOLETA, Calif.

Postal shooting leaves two dead

Two people were killed and two others were critically wounded Monday when someone opened fire in a postal station, authorities said.

The shooting took place about 9:15 p.m., Capt. Keith Cullom of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department told The Associated Press.

“The suspect is still not apprehended,” Cullom said shortly after 10 p.m.

Sheriff’s spokesman Erik Raney told KCAL-TV the shooter was believed to be a postal employee. He said the shooting took place at a station where mail is handled.

The station is located across the street from a fire station, just a few blocks from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Cullom said people ran to the fire station to report the shooting.