The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared for marketing a test that simultaneously detects and identifies 12 specific respiratory viruses.

The test, called the xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel, is the first test for the detection and differentiation of influenza A subtypes H1 and H3. Influenza A is the most severe form of influenza for humans, and has been the cause of major epidemics. The new panel is also the first test for human metapneumovirus (hMPV), newly identified in 2001

A 45-year-old woman has died from a flesh-eating bacteria that she contracted while riding a personal watercraft on the St. Johns River.According to Duval County health officials, Candace Scott died Aug. 3 from a bacteria that caused a fatal infection. Such a bacteria typically enters the body through an open wound and absorbs into the bloodstream.

Tim Lawther, director of chronic disease and prevention for the county's health department, reports two or three cases of flesh-eating bacteria are typically reported in the county each year, but deaths are not common.The Associated Press reports the bacteria, necrotizing fasciitis, is a fast-moving form of the Group A strep bacteria that destroys muscles, fat, and skin tissue - a rare and invasive form of the same bug that causes strep throat and scarlet fever.Says Lawther, "At this point, we're not telling people to stay out of the water because of this one instance. However, if you don't heal well and you have an open wound you should stay out of the water because that puts you at a higher risk