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Home » Education » Currently Reading:

Florida Department of Health Uncovers FUngal Meningitis

November 19, 2012 Government No Comments

Contact: DOH Communications
Jessica Hammonds, (850) 245-4111

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNCOVERS CASE OF FUNGAL MENINGITIS
~Florida total reaches 24~

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) today confirmed one additional case of fungal meningitis associated with contaminated lots of methylprednisolone acetate from the New England Compounding Center (NECC). A 56-year-old man who received treatment at the Florida Pain Clinic in Marion County is the state’s newest case bringing the total to 24 cases, including three deaths.

“We continue to work closely with health care practitioners to ensure timely detection, proper follow-up and support to each patient who may have received contaminated steroid injections.” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “We remain vigilant in our efforts to keep Floridians safe, and urge any individual who received contaminated steroid injections to seek medical attention for any related symptoms.”

As of November 19, the number of nationwide cases of fungal meningitis related to contaminated steroid injections is 480 with 33 deaths across 19 states. Fungal meningitis is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person.

The signs and symptoms of meningitis related to epidural injections with NECC medications include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, numbness or weakness on one side of the body or other, and altered mental status. Symptoms of joint infections related to NECC medications include fever; swelling, increasing pain, redness, warmth at injection site; vision changes, pain, redness or discharge from the eye; chest pain, or drainage from the surgical site (infection within the chest).

DOH and the Department of Professional and Business Regulation will continue to update the Department websites at http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/ or http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/. DOH has set up a toll-free hotline at 1-866-523-7339 for those who may have additional questions.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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