Source CDC
# 6620
The number of identified infections, and deaths, from a fungal meningitis linked to contaminated epidural steroid injections continues to rise, with the CDC reporting 119 cases and 11 fatalities as of today.
Note: This form of meningitis is not transmissible between people. If you did not receive an epidural injection with this recalled steroid, you are not at risk.
This is a rapidly evolving situation, and numbers will likely climb as the task of tracing recipients of this compounded steroid mixture over the past few months continues.
Tomorrow (Weds, Oct 10th) the CDC will hold a COCA (Clinician Outreach Communication Activity) call on this outbreak. Those interested can find the details at the following link.
Title: Multistate Meningitis Outbreak Investigation: Information and Guidance for Clinicians
= NO Continuing Education
Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern Time)
The CDC also continues to update their Clinician’s and Patient Guidance pages as new information becomes available.
October 9, 2012 4:30 PM EDT
- Frequently Asked Questions For Clinicians: Multistate Meningitis Outbreak Investigation Updated: Oct 7, 2012
Health Alert Network
- CDC Health Alert Network (HAN): Multistate Outbreak of Meningitis and Stroke Associated with Potentially Contaminated Steroid Medication New: Oct 8, 2012
- CDC Health Alert Network (HAN): Meningitis and Stroke Associated with Potentially Contaminated Product New: Oct 4, 2012
Guidance
Case Definitions
- Case Definitions: Multistate Outbreak Associated with Injection of Potentially Contaminated Steroid Product New: Oct 6, 2012
Testing
- Instructions for Clinical Teams Regarding Diagnostic Testing and Specimen Submission to CDC – Outbreak Associated With Injection of Potentially Contaminated Steroid Products UPDATED: Oct 8, 2012
- Lumbar puncture in asymptomatic patients New: Oct 6, 2012
Prophylaxis
- Role of antifungal prophylaxis in asymptomatic patients New: Oct 6, 2012
And lastly, the CDC’s overview of the situation as of today:
October 9, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
Current Situation
- CDC is aware that New England Compounding Center (NECC) has voluntarily expanded its recall to include all products currently in circulation that were compounded at and distributed from its facility in Framingham, Massachusetts.
- CDC's guidance to patients has not changed as a result of this voluntary recall. Patients who feel ill and are concerned about whether they received a medication from NECC at one of the affected facilities should contact their physicians.
- Clinicians should actively contact patients who have received medicines associated with three lots of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) recalled on September 26. The potentially contaminated injections were given starting May 21, 2012.
- Patients have had symptoms generally starting from 1 to 4 weeks after their injection. Not all patients who received the medicine will become sick. Symptoms that should prompt patients to seek medical care include: fever, new or worsening headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, new weakness or numbness, increasing pain, redness or swelling of the injection site.
