Meningitis Infections and Death Toll Climb as Feds Raid NECC Plant

Atlanta, GAThe number of people infected with fungal meningitis resulting from tainted steroid medication has risen to 247, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The death toll has also climbed to 19, with 15 states out of 23 that received shipments of the preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate reporting illness.

Tennessee is the hardest hit state, with 61 cases reported. Michigan is reporting 48 cases, Virginia 37, Indiana 32, Maryland with 16, Florida 13, New Jersey 12, Ohio 9, Minnesota 7, New Hampshire 6, North Carolina 2, and Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Idaho 1 per state.

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration reported three cases of fungal infection associated with other drugs originating from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) plant in Massachusetts, however they announced today that in fact they are now investigating just two.

As part of the ongoing investigation into the source of the outbreak, federal agents raided the NECC, the company from which the infected drug appears to have come from, late Tuesday night. Carmen Ortiz, US attorney for Massachusetts said in a statement “I can confirm that this office and our law enforcement partners are investigating allegations concerning the New England Compounding Center. I think that it is entirely premature to suggest what the results of the investigation will be.”