Health Highlights: Dec. 1, 2009

Dec. 2 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

No New Tamiflu-Resistant H1N1 Cases at Duke

No additional cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 flu have been found at Duke University Hospital, according to preliminary results of extensive testing and screening, officials announced Tuesday.

On Nov. 20, the hospital reported that four patients in a single, isolated unit were confirmed as having Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 swine flu. The unit is for patients with seriously impaired immune systems and multiple other complex medical conditions.

Over the past 10 days, all patients in the unit were tested several times by the hospital, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina Division of Public Health. No new cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 were found.

The hospital is working with the CDC and state health officials to review the initial four reported cases. It's expected the assessment will continue for several more weeks.

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Thiamine Deficiency Spurs Cat Food Recall

After 21 confirmed reports of sick cats, Diamond Pet Foods has recalled select bags of dry cat food because they contain too little thiamine, an essential ingredient for cats.

The company recalled bags of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball distributed in 18 states, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. Cats fed these foods without any other sources of nutrition could develop thiamine deficiency, a disorder that can result in gastrointestinal or neurological problems or even death, if untreated.

States where the recalled bags were distributed are: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, the AP said.