Meningitis Outbreak Growing
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: October 11, 2012
Two more people have died from fungal meningitis, linked to tainted steroid injections. The death toll is now up to 14 and 170 cases are being reported in eleven states.
They're linked to medication made by the New England Compounding Center. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says the company may not have had the proper licensing to make large amounts of the drug and sell them outside the state.
The incubation period for fungal meningitis is one to four weeks, but health experts say it may take much longer for symptoms to appear.
Health officials say only between one and five percent of those who are exposed get sick.
The New England Compounding Center settled a lawsuit several years ago with a woman who claimed her husband died of bacterial meningitis after receiving a shot made by the company.
Two clinics in Pennsylvania including one in Altoona received the recalled medicine, but local doctors say it was returned unused. There are no cases of fungal meningitis in Pennsylvania related to the outbreak.
They're linked to medication made by the New England Compounding Center. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says the company may not have had the proper licensing to make large amounts of the drug and sell them outside the state.
The incubation period for fungal meningitis is one to four weeks, but health experts say it may take much longer for symptoms to appear.
Health officials say only between one and five percent of those who are exposed get sick.
The New England Compounding Center settled a lawsuit several years ago with a woman who claimed her husband died of bacterial meningitis after receiving a shot made by the company.
Two clinics in Pennsylvania including one in Altoona received the recalled medicine, but local doctors say it was returned unused. There are no cases of fungal meningitis in Pennsylvania related to the outbreak.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.