# 6648
The latest case counts have been posted by the CDC, and today they are reporting 14 additional cases, and another fatality.
*268 cases of fungal meningitis, stroke due to presumed fungal meningitis, or other central nervous system-related infection meeting the outbreak case definition, plus 3 peripheral joint infections (e.g., knee, hip, shoulder, elbow). No deaths have been associated with peripheral joint infections.
The CDC has also updated some guidance documents since yesterday’s case count, and has posted the audio of Tuesday’s COCA (Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity) call on the outbreak.
- UPDATE: Clinician Guidance Thursday, October 18, 2012 6:45 PM
- UPDATE: Multistate Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Healthcare Facilities Thursday, October 18, 2012 4:30 PM
- UPDATE: Current Situation - CDC Responds to Multistate Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Thursday, October 18, 2012 3:00 PM
The COCA call featured briefings by and Q&A with:
Multistate Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Investigation Update: Information and Guidance for Clinicians
Presenter(s):
Melissa K. Schaefer, MD
Medical Officer
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease and Control and PreventionTom Chiller, MD, MPH
Medical Epidemiologist
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne & Environmental Diseases
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease and Control and PreventionPeter G. Pappas, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Disease
Department of Medicine
University of Alabama at BirminghamOverview:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to work closely with state public health departments on a multistate investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received an epidural steroid injection. These cases are associated with a potentially contaminated steroid medication prepared by New England Compounding Center (NECC), located in Framingham, Mass. During this COCA Call, subject matter experts will provide updates to the current epidemiology of the outbreak, describe clinical presentation and features of fungal meningitis, and review CDC’s recommended treatment guidance.
AUDIO File and TRANSCRIPT available at this link.
