Threat of Meningitis Outbreak Continues to Grow

Healthcare officials from across the country continue to investigate a multi-state outbreak of meningitis that has been linked to an epidural steroid injection produced by New England Compounding Center (NECC). Most recently, the current outbreak has sickened at least 91 people and been linked to the deaths of seven others. Collaborative efforts by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have attempted to identify the medical clinics in which epidural steroid injections were dispensed. In doing so, regulatory agencies hope to identify those that may have contracted meningitis and gain a better understanding of the currently catastrophic situation.

In an effort to further their investigation, the FDA, in association with the CDC, has attempted to identify those that may have gotten sick – or may still et sick – in the outbreak. According to Dr. Benjamin Park of the CDC, “All patients who may have received these medications need to be tracked down immediately.” “It is possible that if patients with infection are identified soon and put on appropriate anti-fungal therapy, lives may be saved,” he said in a statement.

A CDC report acknowledged that within four days of being made aware of the outbreak, approximately 50 people in seven states had reported feeling ill after receiving an epidural steroid injection to treat back pain. Of significant concern, however, were the subsequent deaths of five of those individuals. Furthermore, the Friday following the initial outbreak witnessed healthcare officials discover fungal infections in nine sick patients. They weren’t able to identify what types of fungus in every one of those patients, but did distinguish at least two types – Aspergillus and Exserohilum.

As predicted, however, the outbreak continues to grow; affecting at least 91 patients in a total of nine states. Updated statistics acknowledged that this meningitis outbreak is responsible for the deaths of seven individuals. Furthermore, a total of 75 clinics in 23 states received approximately 17,676 of NECC’s epidural steroid. It remains to be seen how many people will be sick, but experts are expecting many more people to develop symptoms of meningitis due to the long incubation period of the fungus affiliated with this outbreak.

In a report issued by the FDA, officials acknowledged that NECC has voluntarily shut its facilities down and recalled all of their products currently in circulation that were compounded at and distributed from its facility in Framingham, Massachusetts. Due to the rate and severity in which this condition has affected those who have received an epidural steroid injection, NECC may find itself in the middle of a large meningitis lawsuit.

Do I Have a Meningitis Lawsuit?

The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in meningitis lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with meningitis after receiving an NECC epidural steroid injection you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-(949) 557-5800.