US - CDC reports 63 dead, 749 infected with fungal meningitis in 20 states (Update Aug 5, 2013)

[Treyfish]

Re: Five dead, 47 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

Number of U.S. meningitis cases rises to 50 in deadly outbreak

Fri, 5 Oct 2012 23:18 GMT
Source: Reuters // Reuters

* Vials of steroids linked to outbreak sent to 23 states

* Doctor urges that recipients be tracked down immediately

By Tim Ghianni

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct 5 (Reuters) - The number of people stricken with a rare form of meningitis linked to steroid injections rose to 50 in seven U.S. states, authorities said on Friday, in a widening outbreak that has killed at least five people.

Michigan said it had confirmed six cases of fungal meningitis, the seventh state to report people falling ill after receiving the injections, mainly for back pain.

Other states with cases are Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina and Indiana.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported 47 cases of meningitis on Friday, while Michigan reported an additional two cases and North Carolina one not included in the CDC count. That brought the national total to 50, compared with 35 on Thursday...

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/number-of-us-meningitis-cases-rises-to-50-in-deadly-outbreak?

[sharon sanders]

Re: Five dead, 47 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

from http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm322752.htm above:

[Treyfish]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

ATLANTA -- No infections have been reported here yet, but 189 Georgia patients received steroid injections in Macon that may have been contaminated with a deadly fungal meningitis.

Thursday, it became apparent that hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of people who got the affected shots between July and September could be at risk. http://www.11alive.com/news/article/...ly-meningitis?

[Treyfish]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

The potential scope of the meningitis outbreak that has killed at least five people widened Thursday as health officials warned that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of patients who got steroid back injections in 23 states could be at risk.

By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun
8:15 p.m. EDT, October 5, 2012

Maryland could see new cases of meningitis for a month or more as health officials continue to search for new and past cases of the disease, which has sickened 50 people in several states who received injections of a tainted steroid.

In the cases health officials are already aware of, the incubation period for the infections has been between two days and four weeks, but it's possible the period could be even longer for some, said Dr. Lucy Wilson, chief of Maryland's infection prevention and outbreak response program. Health officials are basing their estimate on the existing cases, but it could change, Wilson said.http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/b...4173607.story?

[Treyfish]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

Updated: October 5, 2012 8:52 PM
By The Associated Press DAVID PORTER (Associated Press)
NEWARK, N.J. - (AP) -- None of the 1,000 people in New Jersey given a steroid linked to a deadly outbreak of fungal meningitis has reported becoming ill, Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd said Friday.http://www.newsday.com/news/region-s...reak-1.4078917

[Treyfish]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

New England Compounding Center (NECC) Potentially Contaminated Medication: Fungal Meningitis Outbreak


[Posted 10/05/2012]

AUDIENCE: Surgery, Anesthesia, Neurology, Healthcare Professionals

ISSUE: FDA has observed fungal contamination by direct microscopic examination of foreign matter taken from a sealed vial of methylprednisolone acetate collected from New England Compounding Center (NECC). FDA is in the process of conducting additional microbial testing to confirm the exact species of the fungus.

Investigation into the exact source of the outbreak is still ongoing, but the outbreak is associated with a potentially contaminated medication. That product is preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml), an injectable steroid produced and distributed by New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, Massachusetts. CDC?s interim data show that all infected patients received injection with this product.

BACKGROUND: FDA was been working closely with CDC, several state health departments, and the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy to investigate the scope and cause of the outbreak of fungal meningitis. FDA inspectors in the New England District Office, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy have been conducting an inspection of the New England Compounding Center. The firm voluntarily ceased all operations and surrendered its license to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy on October 3, 2012.

RECOMMENDATION: Out of an abundance of caution, FDA is taking the additional step of recommending that health care professionals and consumers not use any product that was produced by NECC at this time. In addition, FDA requests that health care professionals retain and secure all remaining products purchased from NECC until FDA provides further instructions regarding the disposition of these products.

Although the investigation into the source of the outbreak is still ongoing, if you have purchased a product from NECC, FDA is advising not to use it at this time. This includes all products compounded and distributed at NECC; not just the ones that have been recalled. Please see the CDC website for additional information.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178



[10/05/2012 - FDA Statement - FDA]
[10/05/2012 - Q&A - FDA]
[10/05/2012 - List of Recalled Products - FDA]http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/S...ce=govdelivery

[Treyfish]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

October 5, 2012
RICHMOND

Public health officials in Virginia say the number of suspected cases of a rare and potentially deadly outbreak of meningitis has increased to five. The state has recorded one death linked to a fungal meningitis outbreak.

State epidemiologist David Trump also said Friday the number of patients who received steroid shots for back pain contaminated with a fungus has risen to at least 630. That's up more than 100 from Thursday's count.http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/virg...itis-outbreak?

[sharon sanders]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

October 5, 2012
RICHMOND

Public health officials in Virginia say the number of suspected cases of a rare and potentially deadly outbreak of meningitis has increased to five. The state has recorded one death linked to a fungal meningitis outbreak.

State epidemiologist David Trump also said Friday the number of patients who received steroid shots for back pain contaminated with a fungus has risen to at least 630. That's up more than 100 from Thursday's count.http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/virg...itis-outbreak?

It appears the 630 is from Virginia only?

[Catbird]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

It appears the 630 is from Virginia only?

Yes, from what I'm reading, that number is correct for, for people in VA who received injections from the suspect lots that were originally recalled. At this time, there's no telling the numbers of people who received doses of the other items on the 2nd, much lengthier recall list.


"Virginia Warns of More Possible Meningitis Cases"

"...The tainted shots were mostly in southwest Virginia, health officials said.

Two clinics known to have received tainted injections were:

Insight Imaging in Roanoke, Va.
New River Valley Surgery Center in Christiansburg, Va.

More than 600 patients at Insight received the injections, but fewer than 30 patients at the New River Valley facility did."

[Giuseppe]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

[Source: Massachusetts Department of Health, full page: (LINK).]

For Immediate release - October 05, 2012

Statement from the Department of Public Health - 10/5/2012



BOSTON ? October 5, 2012 ? The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to collaborate on the ongoing investigation into an outbreak of Aspergillus (fungal) meningitis in Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

There are four products common to all of these cases.

One of the medications, Methylprednisolone Acetate, a steroid, was prepared at the New England Compounding Center, Inc., (NECC) of Framingham, Mass., which is being investigated as a source of the outbreak.

All medications that are similar to Methylprednisolone Acetate have been recalled.

Authorities are advising health care providers to stop use of all products prepared by NECC.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, through its Board of Registration in Pharmacy, has state regulatory authority over NECC.

At the request of DPH, NECC has agreed to voluntarily surrender their license to operate until this investigation is complete.

Under the Board?s regulations, Massachusetts pharmacists and pharmacies are only permitted to dispense and compound medication pursuant to a prescription from a registered practitioner for an individual patient.

All matters concerning NECC drug compounding and distribution remain under investigation by federal authorities and DPH at this time.


# # #

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[Treyfish]

Re: Five dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

CDC reports 50 outbreak cases of fungal meningitis related to steroid injections
OCTOBER 6, 2012


Friday, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 50 people in 7 states have been affected with fungal meningitis, and it has killed at least five people in an outbreak that appears to be widening. The fungal meningitis outbreak has been linked to steroid injections.

Michigan is the seventh state linked to the outbreak and they confirmed six cases on Friday. The CDC said that most of the patients fall ill after receiving steroid injections for back pain.

The CDC reported 35 cases on Thursday and 50 on Friday.

Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina and Indiana have also reported cases. Tennessee has reported the most cases, and has some patients in intensive care; the state has reported three deaths related to fungal meningitis. The cases were first reported in Tennessee.

Virginia and Maryland have each reported one death... http://www.examiner.com/article/cdc-...oid-injections

[Emily]

Re: 7 dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

http://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/...11968aced.html

http://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/...11968aced.html

CDC: Meningitis outbreak death toll rises to 7
Posted: Saturday, October 6, 2012 1:41 pm | Updated: 2:15 pm, Sat Oct 6, 2012.

[Catbird]

Re: 7 dead, 50 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

CDC's updated numbers, as of 2pm.

CDC Meningitis Outbreak by State:

"Total case count: 64

Florida: 4 cases
Indiana: 5 cases
Maryland: 3 cases, including 1 death
Michigan: 8 cases, including 2 deaths
Minnesota: 1 case
North Carolina: 2 cases
Ohio: 1 case
Tennessee: 29 cases, including 3 deaths
Virginia: 11 cases, including 1 death

However, the MN Dept. of Health is now reporting a 2nd case in the state, which changes the case count to 65. The latest media advisory on the official MN Health Dept. page hasn't been fully updated yet, but the page does show a case count of 2. Further info from local media:

KSTP, St. Paul:


" Two Minnesotans have been diagnosed with meningitis after receiving injectable steroids from a compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts, the Minnesota Department of Health said Saturday.

On Saturday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that steroid products produced by the New England Compounding Center had been linked to 64 cases of fungal meningitis in nine states. Seven people have died. One of the Minnesota cases is not yet included in those statistics.

Both cases involve women in their 40s who were evaluated after having possible symptoms of meningitis. Both are hospitalized and are being treated with antibiotic and antifungal drugs.

MDH officials believe they may see more cases as they continue notifying about 950 Minnesota patients who were treated with the implicated steroid products. As of Saturday morning, about 350 patients had been contacted. Officials hope to finish contacting the rest by Sunday night.

Two Minnesota clinic chains used the now-recalled product. They are Medical Advanced Pain Specialists, or MAPS, in Edina, Fridley, Shakopee and Maple Grove; and the Minnesota Surgery Center in Edina and Maple Grove. MAPS owns the Minnesota Surgery Center clinics."

[Pathfinder]

Re: 7 dead, 64 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=ms-PostTitle>Three Maryland Meningitis Cases Associated with Injectable Steroids</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

by <NOBR>System Account</NOBR> on 10/6/2012 3:47 PM Category: DHMH

Maryland Case Count and Outbreak Update Website Launched

Baltimore, MD (October 6, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), in conjunction with other states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), continues to investigate an association between spinal injections and the development of meningitis as part of a larger multi-state investigation. DHMH has now identified a third Maryland patient that developed meningitis after receiving an injection in September of an already implicated lot of methylprednisolone acetate that was produced and distributed by the New England Compounding Center (NECC).

No additional case-specific information will be released. Including this newly identified case, DHMH has now identified three Maryland-associated cases, one of whom has died. As this investigation continues, the Department will post updates off its home page, www.dhmh.maryland.gov under ?Meningitis Cases Associated with Injectable Steroids.?

DHMH continues to urge people who have new or worsening symptoms, including symptoms of meningitis or stroke, following an injection of methylprednisolone acetate from one of the seven Maryland facilities that received the implicated NECC lots to contact their healthcare provider to determine if further evaluation is indicated. Symptoms of meningitis can include fever, headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, nausea, or vomiting. Stroke symptoms can include but are not limited to double vision, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, or difficulty walking.

No other products have been implicated in this outbreak. However, NECC has recalled a number of other products, and CDC and FDA are advising all health care facilities with NECC products to stop using them. To be vigilant for the possibility of further problems, anyone who develops signs of an infection following an injection or other medical procedure should check in with a healthcare provider.

Facilities that have received and pulled from use the affected product are:

Berlin Interventional Pain Management, Berlin, MD
Box Hill Surgery Center, Abingdon, MD
Greenspring Surgery Center, Baltimore, MD
Harford County Ambulatory Surgery Center, Edgewood, MD
Maryland Pain Specialists, Towson, MD
SurgCenter of Bel Air, Bel Air, MD
Zion Ambulatory Center, Baltimore, MD

http://dhmh.maryland.gov/publicrelations/pr/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=309

[Pathfinder]

Re: 7 dead, 64 sick from suspected fungal meningitis as outbreak worsens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: DOH Communications,
October 6, 2012

JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION ON THE MENINGITIS OUTBREAK

Based on the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) strongly advise all Florida health care facilities and practitioners to stop using any products from the New England Compounding Center (NECC). These products should be pulled from shelves immediately and not used unless the CDC and the FDA make determinations that the products are safe.

This recommendation is in addition to the recall of three lots of NECC Methylprednisolone Acetate received in Lot Nos. 05212012@68,
06292012@26 and 08102012@51 which should be returned in accordance with FDA recall procedures. These three lots have been associated with Aspergillus meningitis following epidural back injections. These medications are not used for epidural analgesia in labor and delivery. This meningitis is not contagious and cannot be spread from person-to-person.

Any patients known or suspected to have received back injections with NECC Methylprednisolone Acetate from the suspected lots
should be evaluated immediately by their health care professional and monitored or treated as necessary. The departments have notified all eight Florida facilities who received contaminated Methylprednisolone Acetate, and all suspected lots have been removed. The departments continue to communicate jointly to all other facilities that may have any products from the NECC. Facilities and practitioners should immediately stop using any NECC products until the CDC and the FDA make determinations that the products are safe.

We will continue to update our websites at
http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/ or
www.myfloridalicense.com and have set up a toll-free hotline at 1-866-523-7339 for those who may have additional questions.

To view FDA’s product list as of Oct. 6, please visit:
http://www.fda.gov/DRUGS/DRUGSAFETY/ucm322752.htm.

Symptoms to look for:

Infected patients have presented approximately one to four weeks following their injections with a variety of symptoms including but not limited to: fever, new or worsening headache, neck pain, nausea and/or new symptoms consistent with a stroke (including weakness on one side of the body and slurred speech). Some of these symptoms may be mild, yet should still be reported to a health care professional.

When to contact your health care practitioner:

If individuals are experiencing any of these symptoms and have had back steroid injections since July 1, 2012, they should contact their health care professional immediately or seek attention in the emergency room.

The Division of Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics safeguards the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the state of Florida from injury due to the use of adulterated, contaminated or misbranded drugs, drug ingredients and cosmetics by administering the provisions of the Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act (Chapter 499, F.S.).

http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/newsroom/2012/10/100512NECCFormatted1.pdf

FLORIDA FACILITIES WHO HAVE NECC PRODUCTS (LIST)

http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/newsroom/2012/10/10-06-12-FLORIDA-LIST-WITH-NECC.pdf