The steroid in question, methylprednisolone acetate, was shipped to four pain clinics in Ohio, including one each in Cincinnati and Dublin and two in Marion. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday the outbreak’s toll had risen to 105 infections and eight deaths in nine states. The New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass., made the drug. The company has recalled three lots of the drug and all of its other products.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that 15 doses of the drug were administered at the Dublin clinic, but none of the patients who received it have reported symptoms.
State and local health officials are working together to notify everyone who received the drug and try to determine if they might be ill.
“Although this type of meningitis does not spread person to person, it’s still very important for us to make sure every patient who potentially received a tainted drug gets in touch with their health care provider,” said Dr. Ted Wymyslo, director of the state health department. “The fungal meningitis that could be caused by this injection has very subtle symptoms and these Ohioans need to know what type of health changes could indicate an infection and when to seek treatment.”
Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain. Causes include fungal, bacterial and viral infection. Symptoms include fever, new or worsening headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, new weakness or numbness, increasing pain, and redness or swelling at the injection site.
Bill Wharton, spokesman for Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County, said he was not aware his agency had to contact any patients who might have received the medication. But patients who receive steroid injections for back pain and who exhibit meningitis symptoms should contact their doctors immediately, he said.
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