Product News and Recalls

Death toll rises from meningitis outbreak

The death toll continues to climb from a fungal meningitis outbreak related to a batch of contaminated steroid medication, the Boston Herald reports.

Six months after health authorities first identified the outbreak, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting 50 deaths and 722 illnesses connected to medication manufactured at the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the spinal cord and brain. According to the Boston Herald, about 17,000 vials of medication potentially contaminated with the fungus causing the outbreak were shipped out across the country.

It’s proven particularly dangerous because the medication in question is injected directly into the spine.

The report says the most recent fatalities occurred in Ohio and Michigan, although cases have been reported in 20 different states.

The NECC ceased operations in October and filed for bankruptcy protection in December. It is now the target of a criminal investigation, the Boston Herald says.

Lopez McHugh is investigating cases related to this outbreak. If you or a loved one had an injection and were diagnosed with meningitis, you should consult with a Lopez McHugh lawyer for a free consultation.

See the story here:

https://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/03/deaths_continue_in_meningitis_outbreak_tied_to_framingham_0