Meningitis outbreak nears 400 infected as lawmakers push for tougher regulation

More than 400 infections have now been tied to an outbreak linked to contaminated steroid shots from the New England Compounding Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday.

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As of Nov. 2, 395 people have developed fungal meningitis, including 29 deaths. Another nine patients have fungal joint infections from steroid injections they may have received in areas such as the knee, hip, shoulder and elbow.
The ongoing 19-state outbreak of fungal meningitis has been linked back to three lots of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) steroid injections made by the Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass. The injections were shipped to 23 states and officials have said up to 14,000 patients may have received the contaminated shots, mostly for back pain treatments.

• Ameridose, company linked to New England Compounding Center, issues recall
• FDA finds contaminated vials, bacteria and mold at New England Compounding Center
• FDA: Bacteria found in other drugs made by New England Compounding Center

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration had announced that it found bacterial contamination in two other types of drugs made the New England Compounding Center, betamethasone - used to various skin conditions and inflammation - and cardioplegia solution, which is given during heart surgery. No illnesses however have been reported in people who used these drugs.
The agency said the findings bolster concerns about a lack of sterility at the now-closed company. Investigators there have already found standing water from a leaking boiler, filthy floor mats and records indicating drugs were shipped before sterility tests were returned.

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