Steve Jobs, the Apple CEO, is taking a second medical leave of absence from the company nearly two years after he took a similar a six-month leave for a liver transplant. Jobs, 55, has survived pancreatic cancer, but said he needs to take care of his health for now. In an email to Apple employees this morning, he wrote: “At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.” The announcement will rekindle speculation about long-term survival prospects for Jobs, following his treatment for cancer in 2009. “I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.”