Health Highlights: May 10, 2013

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

3 Suspected Cases of SARS-Like Virus Reported in France

Three new suspected cases of people with a deadly new SARS-like virus are being investigated by health officials in France, and a 65-year-old man confirmed to have the virus remains in hospital.

The man became ill after returning from Dubai on April 17 and was hospitalized on April 23. A nurse, doctor and former hospital roommate who had contact with the man are in hospital and their test results are expected later Friday, the Associated Press reported.

There have been 30 confirmed cases of the new SARS-like coronavirus since September 2012 and 18 of the patients have died, according to the World Health Organization.

Cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Britain and Germany. Health officials say the virus has likely spread from person to person in some cases, the AP reported.

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U.S. Lawmakers Investigating Stimulant in Workout Products

An inquiry into the safety of an amphetamine-like substance in some popular workout and fat-burning products sold at GNC stores has been launched by U.S. lawmakers.

The products contain a stimulant called dimethylamylamine (DMAA), which the Food and Drug Administration believes is an illegal dietary supplement ingredient. Last month, the agency warned consumers that DMAA was potentially dangerous, The New York Times reported.

Products that contain DMAA include Jack3d and OxyElite Pro, made by USPlabs.

In letters sent Wednesday, three Republican members of the oversight subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a letter to GNC -- the nation's largest dietary supplement chain -- asking why products containing DMAA were still for sale, The Times reported.

"FDA issued a consumer safety alert noting that the agency had received 86 adverse event reports associated with products containing DMAA, including psychiatric disorders, heart problems, nervous system disorders and deaths," the letter stated. "However, as of May 7, 2013, GNC continues to sell Jack3d on its Web site."

The lawmakers also sent letters to the FDA and USPlabs. Last month, USPlabs said it was phasing out the original Jack3d and OxyElite Pro products containing DMAA. GNC continues to sell both products and a spokeswoman said the company "has no reason to believe that DMAA is unsafe," The Times reported.