7 new infections from steroids found in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. -

Michigan health officials are reporting seven more infections linked to contaminated steroids supplied by a Massachusetts pharmaceutical company.

The Centers for Disease Control said Monday that at least 253 people have been infected with illnesses including fungal meningitis that are part of a national disease outbreak. That's up from 249 two weeks earlier. Three additional Michigan resident's deaths are being counted as Indiana cases because of where treatment occurred. The Michigan Department of Community Health recognizes 256 cases in Michigan.

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The steroids are used in injections to treat neck and back pain.

The department reports that at least 16 people have died in the outbreak. It says there have been 68 cases of fungal meningitis, 161 epidural abscesses, one stroke and 26 peripheral joint infections in Michigan tied to the steroids.