Death Toll From Meningitis Outbreak Now Stands at 7 by Steven Reinberg and Margaret Steele. U.S. News and World Report. October 7, 2012.
The rare type of meningitis, which is not contagious, seems to be associated with a steroid procedure called lumbar epidural steroid injection. The steroids used are suspected of contamination with a fungus usually found in a leaf mold. The compounding pharmacy in Framingham, Mass. which manufactured the steroid has shut down and ceased distributing the steroid. 75 health care facilities apparently received shipments from the firm. There may be more victims since it takes a month or more for the symptoms to appear. Compounding pharmacists make speciality drugs not made by large drug companies but are not subject to the same rigorous oversight such as the FDA.
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