CDC: 148 cases, 8 dead in Mich. meningitis outbreak

Michigan reports 148 total cases, 8 deaths linked to national outbreak of fungal meningitis

Published On: Nov 14 2012 04:31:05 PM EST   Updated On: Nov 14 2012 04:42:03 PM EST
Fungal meningitis
LANSING, Mich. -

Officials say there have been at least 148 infections and eight deaths in Michigan linked to a national meningitis outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the state has had 64 cases of meningitis, including the eight deaths.

In addition, there have been 77 epidural abscesses, one stroke and six joint infections.

Livingston County and Washtenaw counties have had two deaths each, with one each in Cass, Charlevoix, Genesee, Ingham and Wayne counties.

Fungal meningitis has been linked to contaminated steroids produced by a Massachusetts pharmacy and shipped to four Michigan clinics.

Patients who became ill had received injections for neck or back pain.

In October the first Michigan lawsuit was filed against the distributor, New England Compounding Pharmacy.

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