The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a fungal meningitis outbreak linked to 17,676 vials of an epidural steroid injection used to manage lower back pain and manufactured by New England Compounding Center. The contaminated vials were recalled by the manufacturer on September 26, 2012. Over 75 outpatient facilities across the United States, including Indiana, received the recalled vials. As of October 8th, there have been 105 reported cases of fungal meningitis and 8 deaths presumed to be caused by these infected injections.
The CDC believes that patients who received an epidural steroid injection on or after May 21, 2012, should watch for symptoms of meningitis. Symptoms can include fever, new or worsening headache, stiff neck, light sensitivity, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in any part of the body, and pain, redness or swelling at the injection site. Any patient who received an epidural steroid injection who is experiencing any of these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
A complete list of all medical facilities that received the contaminated steroid injection vials can be found on the CDC website. The affected Indiana facilities listed so far include:
- Ambulatory Care Center, LLC Evansville
- Fort Wayne Physical Medicine Fort Wayne
- OSMC Outpatient Surgery Center Elkhart
- South Bend Clinic South Bend
- Union Hospital Terre Haute
- Wellspring Columbus
If you or someone you care about received an epidural steroid injection and has contracted fungal meningitis or a serious injury, contact us. Our personal injury product liability attorneys have experience handling cases involving dangerous drugs and defective medical devices. It is important for you to understand your legal rights and options and get compensation for your injuries. The initial consultation is free of charge and no legal fees will be collected unless your claim is paid.