Meningitis Outbreak Update: Fungus Presence Confirmed in Steroid

On October 18, 2012, the CDC and FDA confirmed that one of the three suspected lots of methylprednisolone acetate (injectable steroid) from NECC does indeed have fungal meningitis present. Testing continues on the other two suspected lots.

According to the FDA, approximately 14,000 patients have possibly received injections from the three implicated lots of the steroid. Most of those patients have been contacted for follow-up.

The CDC reports that, as of October 21st, 2012, there have been 285 cases of rare fungal meningitis reported across the United States due to the steroid injections. Tennessee reports the most cases with 69, followed by Michigan with 53 and Virginia with 41. Of the 285 cases across the U.S., 23 deaths have been reported.

Minnesota reports 7 cases and no deaths.

Resources:

CDC – Map of Cases with Fungal Infections Linked to Steroid Injections
FDA – Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Archive of Updates
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