Over 100 Fungal Meningitis Cases Reported Nationwide; None Yet In Starke County

Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch

Over 100 cases of fungal meningitis have been reported in the United States and the outbreak has killed at least seven people. The CDC and the FDA are still investigating the issue.

The cases have been linked to a tainted cortisone shot given for back pain and the pharmacy at the center of the outbreak is recalling all of its products. All products manufactured by the New England Compounding Center as of May 21 are being recalled.

The company stated that the recall was being made because of the risk of contamination.

Starke County Health Nurse Frank Lynch said he has heard of no cases in Starke County where fungal meningitis has been reported. He did say that there are a few cases out of Memorial Hospital in South Bend and Elkhart General Hospital where patients who received the tainted cortisone treatment have been hospitalized.