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Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

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Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

Tennessee residents are being warned of a serious potential health risk by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health officials across the country. A fungal meningitis outbreak has begun to spread across the country, affecting 11 states in 170 cases and taking the lives of 14 people thus far.

The New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass. is responsible for the preparation and distribution of an epidural steroid injection that has been contaminated by fungus. On September 25, 2012, the company announced a recall of the dangerous contaminated medication. At that time, the medications to be recalled were as follows:

  • Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #05212012@68, BUD 11/17/2012

  • Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #06292012@26, BUD 12/26/2012

  • Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #08102012@51, BUD 2/6/2013

On October 6, 2012, the New England Compounding Center issued another statement revealing that all products prepared in the facility were to be recalled. The company has informed the public that at least 50 vials of the steroid were contaminated with a fungus upon distribution to 23 states in the country.

Following further information from the CDC on October 10, 2012, specific information was released in regard to the dangers associated with particular vials of contaminated medications. The CDC determined that the fungus Exserohilum was found in 10 patients with meningitis and the fungus Aspergillus was found in 1 patient with meningitis.

Tennessee was amongst the 23 states who received shipments of this contaminated steroid medication. If you or a loved one believes that you may have received this injection, you may be entitled to compensation. Greg Coleman Law is preparing to investigate the potential class action claim against New England Compounding Center.

For more information regarding your current options, please complete a Free Case Review on this page.

Fungal Meningitis Symptoms

While the type of fungal meningitis associated with these contaminated steroid medications is not contagious, patients who have received this injection must understand the serious health hazards that the disease presents. Typically used to treat back pain and/or other serious pain in joints, epidural steroid doses from the New England Compounding Center have been projected to 17,676 shipped. In addition, early estimations predict that approximately 13,000 patients may have been exposed to the contaminated medication which has been linked to the fungal meningitis outbreak.

Tennessee residents who have received an epidural steroid injection in the last 5 months must pay close attention to their current health status. Fungal meningitis may take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks to develop in the at-risk patient. With the number of outbreaks in patients continually growing, anyone in Tennessee who has been given a steroid injection recently must look out for the onset of the following symptoms:

  • Nausea

  • Fever

  • Severe Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Redness, swelling, or pain in the areas that surround the place where the injection took place

  • Vomiting

  • Slurred Speech

  • Photophobia

  • Stiff Neck

  • Numbness

  • Altered Mental State

  • Weakness

Fungal meningitis refers to the inflammation that occurs in the areas surrounding and protecting both the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation is a serious threat to patients. If you believe that you are experiencing any of the above symptoms following an epidural steroid injection, you must seek medical attention immediately.

Due to the fact that symptoms are delayed, many patients forget that they must be on the lookout for these potentially life-threatening signs. Tennessee has accounted for 49 cases to date, contributing to quite a large percentage of the 170 total case counts. The state has suffered from 6 deaths so far directly related to the fungal meningitis outbreak.

If you or a loved one feels any of the symptoms listed, you cannot delay medical care. Three health care facilities in the state of Tennessee have received shipments of the contaminated epidural steroid medication. If you have been treated with these injections in the following medical centers, contact a doctor immediately:

  • PCA Pain Care Center

  • Specialty Surgery Center

  • St. Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgical Center

The CDC has advised all clinicians and physicians to contact any patients who have been given the injection either by phone or in person. According the recent reports from the Division of Healthcare Quality Control Prevention, 90 percent of the patients who are at risk have been informed of the potential dangers.

Contact Greg Coleman Laws Class Action Lawyers

With the rising numbers in fungal meningitis outbreaks across the country, Tennessee has become one of the most prominent states affected. With three of the main health care facilities receiving shipments of the contaminated epidural steroid medication, numbers of infected patients are expected to upsurge. If you believe that any of the fungal meningitis symptoms are present in you or a loved one, you must seek medical attention immediately.

To learn more about your legal options, complete a Free Case Review as soon as possible.

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