Fungal meningitis cases continue to rise

Fungal meningitis cases continue to rise Fungal meningitis cases continue to rise Confirmed cases of fungal meningitis rise to 91, federal health officials say...

Fungal meningitis cases continue to rise Fungal meningitis cases continue to rise Federal health officials say the number of confirmed cases of fungal meningitis has risen to 91, seven people have died, and thousands more may be infected. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said most of the cases occurred in the southern state of Tennessee, where there were 32 confirmed cases and three deaths. Authorities fear tainted steroid drugs used to treat patients' low back pain may have been delivered to hospitals and clinics in 23 states and injected into thousands of patients. It may take up to more than a month for symptoms to appear. The Massachusetts-based company that makes the shot, New England Synthetic Center, has recalled the suspected steroid shot and has closed. So far, the distribution of cases is: 9 cases in Michigan, 11 cases in Virginia, 29 cases in Tennessee, 5 cases in Indiana, 4 cases in Florida, 3 cases in Maryland, 2 cases in North Carolina, 2 cases in Minnesota, 1 case in Ohio, and no case reports have been received in Arizona. Officials say infected patients typically develop symptoms one to four weeks later, including fever, new or worsening headaches, nausea and neurological problems.