Toll from deadly U.S. fungal meningitis outbreak continues to grow
Texas drug defect lawyers note that the death toll from the fungal meningitis outbreak linked to steroid shots for lower back pain currently stands at 7 victims according to the U.S. CDC. And the number of identified meningitis cases rose to 91 on Sunday from 69 on Saturday. The number of cases has risen even further today to 105.
The deadly outbreak is widespread in the U.S. and still growing
Cases of the rare form of meningitis have now been identified in 11 states. The steroid medication linked to the fungal meningitis outbreak was distributed to 76 medical facilities in 23 states, including Texas.
The New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, MA that manufactured the steroid has made the unusual move of surrendering its license and recalling all of its products from the market pending the outcome of federal and state investigations into the outbreak and its causes.
What caused the deadly outbreak?
Patients came down with the deadly fungal meningitis after receiving steroid shots in their spines for lower back pain. The formal name of the steroid is methylprednisolone acetate. Our Texas drug defect lawyers mention that the steroid was manufactured in a preservative-free form.
The federal investigation into the steroid contamination linked to NECC has been going on since last Monday. Investigators found fungal contamination in sealed vials of the steroid. Reportedly, there are two forms of fungus involved in the contamination, one of which is commonly found in leaf mold and can spread through the air.
Thousands still at risk of infection: federal health officials urge extreme caution
The U.S. FDA, involved in the ongoing investigation of the NECC steroid fungal meningitis outbreak, has said that hundreds of patients could have been injected with the contaminated steroid and other NECC products. The rare form of meningitis can take weeks to show symptoms.
Federal authorities are urging anyone injected with steroids for lower back pain to find out if they might have been injected with the contaminated steroid. You can find information on accessing a list of the facilities that received the NECC steroid, as well as a full list of recalled NECC products, by clicking here.
The rare form of deadly fungal meningitis can be treated with a course of anti-fungal medications. The Texas drug defect lawyers at Denena & Points emphasize that a patient’s chances of surviving the infection are greater the sooner they begin treatment.
Continue to part 2 to learn about the weak oversight of compounding pharmacies like NECC.