Meningitis outbreak: Oklahoma hasn’t seen any cases of fungal meningitis
As news continues to spread about an outbreak of a rare form of meningitis, it’s important to note — Oklahoma has not seen any cases nor is the state Health Department investigating any cases of fungal meningitis associated with the outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 35 cases of the rare form of meningitis in six states, and at least five deaths, all associated with the outbreak.
A Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, the New England Compounding Center, is under federal investigation after three lots of a steroid used to treat back pain that the center shipped to 23 states were thought to be the cause of the outbreak.
States where the lots were shipped include: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana , Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and West Virginia.
The New England Compounding Center does have a license from the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy. This means there could be products from the compounding center in Oklahoma. It’s not known whether products outside of the contaminated lot are also contaminated, for the federal investigation is ongoing.
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Comments
Yes, I’m listening but no one will listen to me. I got a steorid injection in the back in Florida in March 2012. In June I was admitted to the hospital after going to the emergency room for a severe headache and fever. I was diagnosed with meningitis although they could not determine which kind or where it came from as there were no other cases in Orlando. I’m looking for answers and so far, I’ve just been told I’m unlucky. I’ll get to the bottom it. I’ve called the CDC and asked them to widen their investigation. This is bigger than authorities may be telling us.
Hi Manya,
I apologize for not seeing your comment sooner. I will check into that.
Thanks for letting me know,
Jaclyn
Hi Patti,
Thanks for your comment. Have you spoke with your state health department? They would likely have more information about the outbreak in Florida.
Thanks for your time,
Jaclyn
I have received 3 steriod injection over the last 9 months and which was done at Mecry Hospital in Oklahoma City. And want to know if there have been any of the fungal steriod sold to Dr Farley Pain medicine.
Hi Thomas,
Here’s a map of all the facilities in the U.S. that received some of the related injections:
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-facilities-map.html
No facility in Oklahoma is currently on the list. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks,
Jaclyn
Unfortunately this issue of contaminated steroids is a sad, nationwide epidemic. Our thoughts are with ALL of those effected.
Your statement of, “Oklahoma has not seen any fungal meningitis case”, is not TRUE. Please check Comanche Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma for a Wallace McLoyd Jr who was admitted March 21, 2012. He was given a steriod shot on March 14, 2012 and fell deathly ill on March 21st. They had NO clue to what was wrong with him, so they shipped him to OU Medical Center on March 23rd. He almost died. Someone please check the emergency room records at Comanche in Lawton on March 14 & see that he did received a steriod shot. The Doctors kept asking me if my Husband was a drug user, because they did not know how he got meningitis. I told them NO, he was a retired Lt.Col in the army & that he did recieved a steriod shot a week ago, but at that time they just blew me off. We have contacted Comanche Hospital, but no one will return our calls. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE LISTEN!!!