Oct 10, 2012 posted by: Kelli Steele - WGMD News
Death Toll at 11 As Meningitis Outbreak Spreads to NJ
Federal and state health officials are racing against the clock to track down as many as 13,000 people who may have received tainted back-pain injection suspected in a fatal outbreak of fungal meningitis.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said state health departments are working closely with clinics to contact the patients “through letters, emails, phone calls – you name it.”
At least 119 people have been sickened with meningitis and/or strokes, and 11 of those have died, according to the CDC. Current numbers do not reflect patients who may have received the shots for pain unrelated to the back – for example, some patients may have received shots due to neck, knee and shoulder pain.
