As of October 9th a deadly meningitis outbreak contracted by 109 people has claimed the lives of 11 people. Though tragic, there is some good news: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is not contagious. Unfortunately, this has not stopped the illness’ dramatic growth. According to ABC News, the number of identified cases has increased by 64% since Friday, October 5th. The states with the most reported cases are Tennessee, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, Minnesota, and Ohio. Tennessee has the most cases, with a total of 35 infected and four deaths.
The outbreak was caused by contaminated methylprednisolone acetate injections, a steriod typically used to treat lower back pain, that was issued to 13,000 patients nationwide by the New England Compound Center (NECC) in Boston. Though the company has already begun a voluntary recall, the outbreak has prompted compounding facilities nationwide to more carefully examine their products.
As health officials scramble to contact all potentially inflected individuals, it is important for citizens to be on the look out for symptoms. Just like regular meningitis, this fungal virus inflames the brain’s lining and spinal cord. This back injection puts the virus into direct contact with target areas, but is harder to identify than regular meningitis.
According to CNN, the virus usually takes one-to-two days to identify, typically causing headaches, fevers, naseau, neck stiffness, and dizziness. However, this virus takes one-to-four weeks to identify, as symptoms occur more slowly, and unfortunately becomes harder to treat as time goes on. In addition to the standard indications, fungal meningitis can cause confusion and severe sensitivity to bright lights. Even if symptoms seem mild, they should be taken very seriously. Hospitals have been supplied with ample anti-fungal vaccinations for those who identify the sickness in time. Though the treatment is very effective patients should expect a lengthy hospital stay, sometimes of up to several months.
Fortunately, this outbreak will not go unnoticed. According to Fox News, new legislation has already been proposed to regulate how pharmacies mix and dose drugs. According to Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of the many lawmakers who has advocated for an increase in FDA oversight for the dug industry, hopes this outbreak will, “make regulation a priority.” Richard Samp, chief counselor at the non-profit Washington Legal Foundation is confident that Blumenthal’s hopes will be realized, and that the Supreme Court will inevitably preside over the conflict.
