The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently coordinating a multistate investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received an epidural steroid injection with a potentially contaminated product.
This form of meningitis is not contagious.
Several patients also suffered strokes that are believed to have resulted from their infection. The investigation has expanded to include fungal infections from other steroid injections.
The current case count has risen from 64 cases 6 days ago to 170 cases reported as of today, with 14 deaths so far.
Medicines associated with three lots of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) were recalled on September 26, 2012. The potentially contaminated injections were given starting May 21, 2012.
Persons with Fungal Infections Linked to Steroid Injections, by State
| State | Case Count | Deaths |
| Florida (FL) | 7 | 2 |
| Idaho (ID) | 1 | 0 |
| Indiana (IN) | 21 | 1 |
| Maryland (MD) | 13 | 1 |
| Michigan (MI) | 39 | 3 |
| Minnesota (MN) | 3 | 0 |
| New Jersey (NJ) | 2 | 0 |
| North Carolina (NC) | 2 | 0 |
| Ohio (OH) | 3 | 0 |
| Tennessee (TN) | 49 | 6 |
| Virginia (VA) | 30 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 170 | 14 |
I think we’re Ok if the Center for Disease Control and FDA are in charge. It would be better if the TSA and Homeland security were helping (and the Council on Foreign Relations).
Seems like the spread of disease and natural calamities is the norm now. Maybe our best days are behind us.