Meningitis Outbreak Investigation Continues as Number of Cases Increase

Oct. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- On October 7, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm322734.htm) (FDA) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00327.asp) (CDC) continued to closely investigate the cause of a recent deadly meningitis outbreak that has occurred within the U.S. [1] [2] Investigation into the exact source is ongoing; however current data indicates that all infected patients received an epidural steroid injection with preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) produced and distributed at New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, MA.  [3]

On September 25, 2012, NECC voluntarily recalled 17,676 vials of methylprednisolone acetate (PF) 80mg/ml with Lot #s #05212012@68, #06292012@26, and #08102012@51. [4]

CDC and FDA advises Physicians to contact patients who have had an injection using any of the subject three lots of methylprednisolone acetate to determine if they are having any symptoms. Although all cases detected to date occurred after injections with products from these three lots, out of an abundance of caution, CDC and FDA recommend that healthcare professionals cease use of any product produced by the NECC until further information is available.  [5]

CDC has also released a map of healthcare facilities which received Lots of  recalled Methylprednisolone Acetate, which include facilities is CA, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA and WV. [6]

As of October 7, 2012, there were a total of 91 people with confirmed meningitis, including seven deaths.  That was up from 47 cases including seven deaths just the day before.   [7]

CDC reports the meningitis is found to be caused by a fungus that is common in the environment and that the form of meningitis is not contagious. [8] CDC has also released a map of healthcare facilities which received Lots of  recalled Methylprednisolone Acetate, which include facilities is CA, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA and WV.  [9]

Patients who received an injection and are experiencing meningitis symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, and/or stiffness of the neck should present to a medical provider immediately.  Then they should file an adverse event report with the FDA at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm.  Lastly, they should consult with an experienced attorney.

Ennis & Ennis is offering free, nationwide, confidential consultations to anyone who has been diagnosed with meningitis after receiving a steroid injection by calling toll free 1-800-856-6405 or by going to www.ennislaw.com and completing an online case evaluation form.

Ennis & Ennis, P.A. has been representing clients individually since 1986 and has recovered over $100 million in settlements for its clients.

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[1] http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm322734.htm

[2] http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00327.asp

[3] [4] [5] http://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/outbreaks/HAN-Advisory_Meningitis_and_Stroke_Associated_with_Potentially_Contaminated_Product-10-4-12.pdf

[6] [7]  http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html

[8] http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html

[9] http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-facilities-map.html