Tagged: fungal meningitis

Michigan health officials have confirmed an 11th death in the state linked to tainted steroid injections.

The steroid injections were intended to relieve back pain. But the steroids were contaminated.

Angela Minicuci is with the Department of Community Health.

She says the 87 year old Washtenaw County woman who died December 30th was being treated for an epidural abscess.

Minicuci says abscesses have been the most diagnosed ailment related to the tainted steroid investigation.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The number of abscesses linked to contaminated steroids has risen in the past few days in Michigan, with three fresh cases reported since late last week.

The infections are linked to a national outbreak of disease blamed for 67 fungal meningitis cases and 13 deaths in Michigan.

The meningitis cases have remained stable recently, but related non-meningitis infections have continued to grow.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The number of abscesses linked to contaminated steroids is continuing to rise in Michigan, with four fresh cases reported in recent days.

The infections are linked to a national outbreak of disease blamed for 67 fungal meningitis cases and 13 deaths in Michigan.

The meningitis cases have remained stable in recent weeks, but the number of related non-meningitis infections has continued to grow in the state.

Michigan health officials say the number of state residents infected during a national outbreak of fungal meningitis has risen by nine to 197, with 13 deaths.

The Michigan Department of Community Health says that as of Friday, there have been 68 meningitis cases, 116 epidural abscesses, one stroke and 13 joint infections. The total of 197 infections is up from 188 in Wednesday's count.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Officials say the Michigan death toll from a national meningitis outbreak has risen to 13, with at least 167 infections reported.

The fungal meningitis is linked to contaminated steroids produced by a Massachusetts pharmacy used in injections for neck or back pain.

The Michigan Department of Community Health said Wednesday that the state has had 67 cases of meningitis, including the 13 deaths. In addition, there have been 91 epidural abscesses, one stroke and eight joint infections.

A congressional hearing tomorrow will look into a fungal meningitis outbreak that has sickened hundreds of people in 19 states, including Michigan.

Tainted steroid injections used to relieve back pain are blamed for the outbreak.

Nationally, more than 400 people have fallen ill.  32 have died. 

Michigan has the highest number of cases at 128.   Nine people from Michigan have died.

Angela Minicuci is a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Community Health. She expects the number of new cases to slow in the coming weeks.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Officials say an 88-year-old Ingham County woman is the ninth Michigan resident to die in a national meningitis outbreak.

The woman was added to the meningitis update Wednesday by the state Department of Community Health. No other details about her were released.

There have been 64 Michigan cases of meningitis, including the nine deaths. In addition, there have been 54 epidural abscesses, one stroke and six joint infections.