CNN Health has recently reported that a fungal meningitis outbreak is infecting and claiming the lives of Americans across the nation. Meningitis is an infection that most often affects the spinal cord tissue or the brain, inflaming the protective membranes. It is usually acquired through viruses and bacteria, but in this unusual case, it is spreading in its rarest form, as a fungus. The fungi that are altering the medication are exserohilum and aspergillus, commonly found in dirt and grasses but do not usually lead to meningitis. Fungal meningitis infections are extremely harsh, invading blood vessels leading to clotting or bleeding, and causing traumas that resemble a mini stroke. Sometimes it is difficult for one to be able to tell if they have a form of meningitis, as they may only have one or two of the multiple symptoms. Common affects are nausea, headache, fever, and stiffness of the neck. Fungal meningitis patients may also experience dizziness, confusion, and discomfort due to bright lights. Those who were treated for sore joints may come across severe redness, pain, and swelling in the treated joints. The good news is that fungal meningitis is not contagious, even though viral and bacterial meningitis is. Unfortunately fungal meningitis is spreading throughout the nation due to a release of a steroid vaccine given to over 14,000 Americans all across the country.  

            The Centers for Disease Control released on October 18, 2012 that 233 people are infected, and there have been 15 deaths due to the disease. Fungal meningitis has been reported in 15 states, Tennessee being hit the hardest with 53 cases and 6 deaths. But it has also been found in New Hampshire, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Pennsylvania reports CBS News.  An infectious disease expert at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville by the name of Dr. William Schaffner said. “We will see more patients in ill and we’ll have to treat many more.” The drug, methylprednisolone acetate steroid, was originally shipped to 23 different states and 76 facilities. But the product was licensed for all 50 states, therefore there is a possibility that the treatment has been used in states besides the other 23. The back pain medication has recently been recalled by the specialty pharmacy, the New England Compounding Center, but they cannot erase the fact the shots have been given to 14,000 or more people. So instead, they are taking extra precautions to help people overcome the infection. The earlier doctors can treat it, the better chance the patient has to survive. Most that are suspected of fungal meningitis are given two strong anti-fungal medications, even if they are unsure they are in fact infected. The theory is to treat those who may have the form of meningitis as if they have it for certain. Doctors hope that this will help keep death and infection rates down, as they try to figure out the mysteriously unusual case of fungal meningitis.

            But some victims are outraged, including Barbe Puro from Minnesota who filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts pharmacy New England Compounding Center on the Thursday of October 11. 2012. CNN Health says Puro was injected with the infected steroids in September, and when informed of the mistake, she underwent multiple medical blood tests and laboratories. But the result of her tests is unclear, which may decide whether she has a good chance of winning her case. The woman has demanded that she receive an indefinite amount of compensation, and looks to institute classification status so others like her can receive compensation also.

            Congress has even taken action, and has launched an investigation of the pharmaceutical company responsible for the outbreak. Apparently the New England Compounding Center has been previously inspected in 2006 by the Food and Drug Administration, and has already raised suspicion. In a letter to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy the FDA said, “Included in the list of violations was the NECC’s (New England Compounding Center) manipulation of a sterile injectable product, which caused FDA to be concerned about potential microbial contamination.” The fate of the New England Compounding Company is uncertain, and they could possibly being paying major amounts of money to the hundreds already infected, and the possible thousands that may fall victim to the bad drug.