US Meningitis Death Toll From Tainted Steroid Injections Rises to 28

Twenty-eight people have died from fungal meningitis after using suspected tainted steroid injections blamed for a growing national outbreak, a US health official said Tuesday.

Three more deaths were blamed on the disease compared to the previous update issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday. They include two patients in Michigan and a third in Tennessee.

Meningitis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Meninges are the three layers of membrane that cover the brain and infection of the cerebrospinal fluid between them causes meningitis the disease of the meninges.

Nationwide, the CDC said the number of reported fungal meningitis cases rose to 356. Another seven were blamed on peripheral joint infections affecting such joints as the knee, hip, shoulder or elbow, bringing the total number of infections overall to 363.

Nineteen of the 23 states that received potentially tainted doses of the steroid from the New England Compounding Center have reported cases. Some 14,000 people are at risk.

Authorities are investigating the NECC, saying its now defunct facility outside Boston made medications in unsanitary conditions with bacteria and mold so prevalent it could be seen with the naked eye.

Hib Vaccine - Types, Dosage Schedule, Contraindications and Side Effects
The Hib vaccine protects children against infections like meningitis and pneumonia that are caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type b bacterium.

Officials have said that due to the disease's long incubation period, it could be weeks or even months before authorities have a final tally of the infections from the unprecedented outbreak.

The southern state of Tennessee remains the hardest hit with 74 cases and 11 deaths, followed by Michigan with 93 cases and seven fatalities.

Sanitary Lapses at Pharmacy Behind Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in US
US health officials said Wednesday the Massachusetts compounding pharmacy that sold a steroid preparation linked to a deadly meningitis outbreak had significant in-house hygiene issues.

Other states hit badly include Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia.

The outbreak has led to calls for tighter regulation of the loosely controlled pharmaceutical compounding industry. Federal investigators have launched a criminal probe into the case.

New Drugs Tied to Meningitis Outbreak
A widening outbreak of meningitis is associated with tainted products from a Massachusetts pharmacy, say sources.

Critics say drug manufacturers have found a way to sidestep costly and strict oversight by classifying themselves as pharmacies, which are given freer rein to mix drug compounds for patients.

Source-AFP