Richmond, VA—The Virginia
Department of Health reports that there are now two confirmed deaths from
fungal meningitis in the state of Virginia.
As of
October 16, 35 cases of fungal meningitis were reported by the VDH (32 Virginia residents and 3 West Virginia residents). In each case, the
infected person received preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (steroid
shots), which have been voluntarily recalled by the New
England Compounding Center, in Framingham,
Massachusetts.
The Virginia
cases are among the 231 cases of fungal meningitis
nationwide. States effected by the outbreak include Florida, Idaho, Illinois,
Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North
Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
People who received a spinal injection recently may have
been exposed to the diseases. Symptoms of fungal meningitis infections include Symptoms
of concern are new or worsening headache, fever, localized weakness, falls,
difficulty walking, slurred speech or other symptoms that may suggest a stroke.
For more information on the meningitis outbreak nationwide, visit the
Center For Disease Control website here.
Stay with 8News for updates.
Copyright 2012 by
Young Broadcasting of Richmond
