119 meningitis infections reported in 10 states

Fungal meningitis has infected 119 Americans, killing 11, according to newly released data from the Centers and Disease Control and Prevention. The infection has now been reported in 10 states, one more than previous estimates.

On Monday health officials had announced 105 people were infected  in nine states, including eight deaths. A ninth death was then reported late Monday by a Nashville, Tenn., hospital. Health officials also said Monday that up to 13,000 people received the steroid shots that have been considered a likely source behind the infections.

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Deadly meningitis outbreak in U.S.

States with reported infections of fungal meningitis include Florida (four cases), Indiana (12 cases), Maryland (eight cases including one death), Michigan (25 cases including three deaths), Minnesota (three cases), North Carolina (two cases), Ohio (one case), Tennessee (39 cases including six deaths) Virginia (23 cases including one death) and, the newest addition to the list, New Jersey (one case).

The outbreak is tied to methylprednisolone acetate steroid injections made by specialty pharmacy New England Compounding Center. After contaminants were discovered in an unopened vial during an inspection at the Framingham, Mass., facility, three lots of single-dose vials of the steroid that were sent to 76 facilities in 23 U.S. states -- in total 17,676 vials -- were recalled.

States that received injections include: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and West Virginia.

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The company, which mixes medications and is not subject to the same FDA approval as a pharmaceutical company that manufactures drugs, expanded its recall Saturday to include all other products the company manufactures. The company is licensed in all 50 states.

Fungal meningitis is not contagious, health officials note. The disease can be treated with high-dose intravenous antifungal medications. The earlier people get treated, the more likely they are to have better outcomes, officials said.

The source of the fungus has not yet been identified, and the cause of infections in the other patients is still being assessed, according to the CDC.

Infected patients have reported mild symptoms, including slight weakness, slightly worsened back pain or even a mild headache, the CDC said. Patients have had symptoms generally starting from one to four weeks after receiving the injection. Several patients also suffered strokes that are believed to have been caused by the infection.

Those who had an epidural steroid injection since May 21 should contact their doctor as soon as possible if they are experiencing the previously mentioned symptoms in addition to fever, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, slurred speech or increased pain and redness at the injection site. Concerned patients could also check with their doctor if they have any questions on the type of medication used in their procedure.

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Doctors race to contain meningitis outbreak

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist who has been tracking the outbreak at the Vanderbilt University Hospital, told the CBS Evening News that the majority of people who received the injection probably won't get sick.

"If there is a silver lining, it's that apparently many people were inoculated but the attack rate is very small," he said. "It's really about 1 percent or less.

The CDC has more information on the meningitis outbreak.

[TheAmazingHowie]

This is awful.

[SparkysMom]

Testing, one two three. What happens to comments submitted here?

[SparkysMom]

This is an example of why regulations are necessary. Look at where this outbreak was created, Massachusetts. Did that state have too few regulations? Do we want our entire nation to follow this example? Think about it.

[THALES457]

AS YOU SEE IN THE FILM CLIP, A SYRINGE APPEARS TO BE FILLED WITHIN A SMALL ENCLOSURE. HEREIN LIES THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM. SMALL ENCLOSURES WITH A NEGATIVE AIRFLOW ARE FINE WHEN YOU SEEK TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE OPERATOR FROM THE PRODUCT (OR SPECIMEN). IT IS WHEN YOU REVERSE THIS INTENTION THAT YOU CAN HAVE STERILITY PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU SEEK TO PROTECT THE PRODUCT FROM THE OPERATOR AND THE ENVIRONMENT OUTSIDE THE ENCLOSURE, THEN THE FLOW IS POSITIVE. THIS IS THE WRONG SETTING FOR STERILE OPERATIONS. THE REASON IS THE SAME ONE YOU HAVE AT HOME: CRACKS, INSIDE CORNERS, SLIDE TRACKS ARE ALL HARD TO CLEAN. THE ENCLOSURE BECOMES A RESERVOIR, THEN (IN THE PRESENCE OF WATER) AN AMPLIFIER. THE VIAL OR THE SYRINGE YOU ARE FILLING THEN BECOMES THE DISSEMINATOR. IN SHORT, VOLUME IS TOO SMALL FOR THE LINEAL FOOTAGE OF CRACKS & JOINTS & HARD TO CLEAN AREAS. THESE SHORTS OF ENCLOSURES CAN BE CHEAP (UNLESS THEY ARE A FORM KNOWN AS AN ISOLATOR). AS IN THE CASE OF MUCH ELSE, GOING CHEAP (ENHANCING PROFITS) IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF OVERALL SOCIETAL INEFFICIENCY. BY THE WAY, FUMIGATUS IS A DANGEROUS FUNGI ANYWAY (INJECTED OR AIRBORNE). MAYBE ASPERGILLUS NIGER COULD BE EXPLAINED AWAY SINCE IT'S SO COMMON, BUT NOT ITS MORE POTENT, AND LESS UBIQUITOUS COUSIN ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS.