Health

Meningitis outbreak deaths rise to 19

Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Shawn Lockhart looks at the meningitis-causing fungus at a CDCc lab

Shawn Lockhart looks at the meningitis-causing fungus Exserohilum rostratum at the mycotic lab at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Oct. 12, 2012 in Atlanta. The staff and technicians have been working around the clock to confirm cases and inform the public regarding the multi-state meningitis outbreak that has resulted in several deaths. The fungal outbreak is believed to have started at New England Compounding Center where a steroid injection shipment was contaminated with the fungus. (AP Photo/Pouya Dianat)

The Centers for Disease Control says the national meningitis outbreak has claimed four more lives.

19 people have now been killed by a rare, fungal form of meningitis which has been linked to a tainted batch of steroid shots made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts.

247 people in 15 states have been infected. Most received spinal injections for back pain.

 

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