This is an official
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY
Distributed via Health Alert Network
October 8, 2012, 13:10 ET (1:10 PM ET)
CDCHAN-00328-2012-10-08-ADV-N
Update: Multistate Outbreak of Meningitis and Stroke Associated with Potentially Contaminated Steroid Medication
Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue to work closely with state public health departments on a multistate investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received an epidural steroid injection. Some of these patients also suffered strokes that may have resulted from their infection. These cases are associated with a potentially contaminated steroid medication prepared by New England Compounding Center (NECC), located in Framingham, Mass. This HAN notice provides updated information about the investigation (including a change in the case definition*), laboratory findings, an expanded voluntary recall of products, and recommendations for clinicians
Background
CDC, in collaboration with FDA, state public health departments, and state boards of pharmacy, has been investigating an ongoing outbreak of meningitis associated with a potentially contaminated steroid medication, preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) prepared by New England Compounding Center, located in Framingham, Mass. CDC and state public health departments are actively coordinating outreach to patients who have been exposed to this potentially contaminated medication.
As of October 8, 2012, a total of 105 cases, including 8 deaths, have been reported in 9 states: Florida (4 cases), Indiana (11 cases), Maryland (5 cases, including 1 death), Michigan (21 cases, including 2 deaths), Minnesota (3 cases), North Carolina (2 cases), Ohio (1 case), Tennessee (35 cases, including 4 deaths), and Virginia (23 cases, including 1 death). Fungus has been identified in specimens obtained from at least nine patients, one of whom also had Propionibacterium acnes, of unclear clinical significance, isolated from a post-mortem central nervous system specimen. In addition to an Aspergillus spp. isolated from a Tennessee patient, the fungus Exserohilum rostratum was identified in other patients, indicating the possibility of infections caused by multiple organisms. Fungal meningitis is not transmitted from person to person.
The clinical presentation of infected patients remains consistent with the prior report: onset of symptoms is typically 1 to 4 weeks following injection with a variety of symptoms, including fever, new or worsening headache, nausea, and new neurological deficit (consistent with deep brain stroke). Some of these patients’ symptoms were very mild in nature. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from these patients has typically shown elevated white cell count (with a predominance of neutrophils), low glucose, and elevated protein. As of October 8, no infections resulting from injection into a peripheral joint space have been reported.
Product Recall..
[link to emergency.cdc.gov]
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Monday, October 8, 2012
AVIAN INFLUENZA: Northern League, NEW CASES IN VENETO: The EU NOT LOWER GUARD
Brussels, 08 Oct - With a question to the European Commission, the MEP of the Lega Nord Mara Bizzotto Brussels brought to the attention of the two cases of avian influenza recently in Veneto, respectively, at a farm in Treviso ( Maserada sul Piave) and in one of Verona (Sona). The strain of the H5N2 virus would be a subspecies less aggressive H5N1, causing the pandemic a few years ago. "Faced with a virus that now recurs cyclically over the years, we must never let our guard down," said the Hon. Bizzotto that, in your question, invited the EU executive to "take all actions possible to monitor the effects and possible developments of the virus" and to "provide for the appropriations budget in support of the poultry sector and the farmers who, after the appearance of virus, have been or will break down their animals as a precaution. " According to Istat, poultry farms in Italy are around 24 thousand and are mainly concentrated in Veneto (2976), England (2,393) and Calabria (2,257). Veneto is also the region with the highest number of animals bred (58.1 million), followed by Maharashtra (34.9 million) and Lombardy (27.2 million). "Today, fortunately, it is only a few isolated outbreaks that are of moderate concern, and that the health authorities are watching with care and attention - http://www.agenparl.it/articoli/news/politica/20121008-aviaria-lega-nord-nuovi-casi-in-veneto-l-ue-non-abbassi-la-guardia
Multi-State Meningitis Outbreak - Current Case Count
October 8, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
Persons with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, by State
Persons by State with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, as of October 8, 2012
| State | Case Count | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (FL) | 4 | |
| Indiana (IN) | 11 | |
| Maryland (MD) | 5 | 1 |
| Michigan (MI) | 21 | 2 |
| Minnesota (MN) | 3 | |
| North Carolina (NC) | 2 | |
| Ohio (OH) | 1 | |
| Tennessee (TN) | 35 | 4 |
| Virginia (VA) | 23 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 105 | 8 |
13,000 people may have been exposed to fungal meningitis
By SYDNEY LUPKIN and KATIE MOISSE (@katiemoisse)
Oct. 8, 2012
Health officials estimate that 13,000 people may have been exposed to contaminated lots of an epidural steroid that has been linked to a rare fungal meningitis that has infected 105 people across nine states, killing eight of them. Fourteen new cases and one new death have been reported since yesterday.
Although the number of cases has increased, the outbreak does not include any new states. The number of people with fungal meningitis, which is not spread person-to-person, has grown by 64 percent since Friday....
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/fungal-meningitis-outbreak-reaches-105-cases-deaths/story?id=17424832#.UHMlbE3peek
DRC Ebola-34 people dead, 6 have survived
Patient care, axis of intervention against Ebola in Congo
08.10.2012 ·
Efforts continue MSF and other organizations to tackle Ebola in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Case management, attention to family and psychosocial support have been a priority for MSF since it launched an emergency intervention in mid-August in the town of Isiro and vicinity.
MSF doctors are prepared to treat patients with Ebola in Congo © Teresa Sancristóval / MSF
The count of suspected cases indicates that 34 people have died since the beginning of the Ebola epidemic, according to the Congolese Ministry of Health. In the center of Isiro hospital treatment are currently four people entered. The staff of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are doing everything in their power to ensure the welfare of these patients.
"Many people have lost their lives, but we are glad we discharged six people after they recover completely," says Alfonso Verdú, MSF emergency coordinator in Isiro. Verdú detailing that since 11 September have confirmed 12 new cases of Ebola, the last one on September 27, so that intervention is far from over.
Together with the Ministry of Health in DRC and other bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Center for Disease Control, MSF is turning in the work to contain the outbreak. The humanitarian organization has increased community awareness activities, essential if the public is well informed about the virus and contribute to the extinction of the outbreak.
Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever vaccine without whose mortality rate ranges from 30% to 90%, and that was first detected in humans in 1976 in Zaire (now DRC ). http://msf.periodismohumano.com/2012/10/08/la-atencion-al-paciente-eje-de-la-intervencion-contra-el-ebola-en-congo/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tunoticiaeslanoticia+%28Bottup+en+Periodismohumano.com%29
Death toll for meningitis cases linked to injections rises to eight
Oct 8 (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Monday reported an additional 14 cases in a fungal meningitis outbreak linked to steroid injections that has now killed eight people and infected 105 in nine states.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/08/health-meningitis-idUSL1E8L8B9F20121008?rpc=401&type=marketsNews
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/08/health-meningitis-idUSL1E8L8B9F20121008?rpc=401&type=marketsNews
Fungal meningitis toll reaches 105; 8 dead
The number of people infected with a rare type of meningitis tied to contaminated steroid injections has climbed to 105, federal health officials said Monday. Eight people have died.
The drugs were given starting May 21, much earlier than previously suspected, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Infections and deaths have been reported in nine states.
Cases have been identified in nine states and health officials fear the numbers will continue to rise as doctors check patients for the symptoms. Doctors and patients alike may not know to look for the unusual infection, which can take weeks to develop after an injection....
Lia Died Due to Dengue Fever Had Suspected bird flu
Soreang, (AFP). - Tia Lia Lestari (8) are believed to have died from bird flu turned out to be due to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which is critical (Schock Dengue Syndrome / DSS). While the 15 chickens that died suddenly around the victim's home was investigated Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (Disnakkan) District. Bandung.
The victim lives with her parents, Entis Sutisna and Yani Maryani in Kp. Cipagalo RT 04/04 Bojongsoang. "The description of the cause of death of the victim is not RSHS flui birds but DSS," said Chief District Health Office.Bandung, dr. H. Achmad Kustijadi, M. Epid, when contacted on Monday (10.08.12).
According Kustijadi, a week ago there were about 15 dead chickens and examined by Disnakan Kab. Bandung. "The new course can be sure three days later whether H5N1 or other virus deadly chicken," he said.
The patient became ill on 28 September with intermittent complaints of body heat. "But the family just delivering drugs from the stall. Recent on Tuesday (2/10) brought Lia to the hospital and was subsequently referred to RSHS and while in the ER was vomiting and bloody bowel movements. Lia died the next day, Wednesday (3/10) at 15.00 pm, "he said.
Meningitis strikes 4 on cruise liner
LIVORNO, Italy, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A bacterial meningitis outbreak on an Italian cruise liner left four crew members hospitalized, one in critical condition, officials said.
The four were admitted to a hospital in the Tuscan port of Livorno Sunday at the end of a cruise by MSC's Orchestra liner, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.
Two crew members were in the hospital's intensive care unit -- a 32-year-old Indonesian, who was critically ill, and a 47-year-old Italian man.
The two other sick crew members were in the hospital's infectious diseases unit.
The ship left Livorno to start another cruise late Sunday.
Eighth death reported in meningitis outbreak
01:15 PM ET
The Centers for Disease Control said Monday that the number of people infected with meningitis related to steroid injections has gone from 91 to 105. The death toll has risen from seven to eight.
Patients in nine states contracted the deadly fungal meningitis after being injected in their spine with a preservative-free steroid called methylprednisolone acetate that was contaminated by a fungus. The steroid is used to treat pain and inflammation.
What is meningitis?
The New England Compounding Center (NECC), the Massachusetts-based pharmacy that made the contaminated injections, voluntarily recalled three lots of the injected steroid last week.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/08...itis-outbreak/
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Saudi flight boy in fever scare
Mary Ann Benitez
Monday, October 08, 2012
A four-year-old boy who came down with severe respiratory syndrome after arriving from Saudi Arabia is being tested for a novel coronavirus that has infected two people in the Middle East.
The Centre for Health Protection said last night it received a report from Ruttonjee Hospital yesterday. The boy arrived from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia with his father last Wednesday.
He went to Ruttonjee's accident and emergency department yesterday with fever, a cough and vomiting, and was transferred to Queen Mary Hospital for isolation, where his condition is stable.
Hong Kong has been on alert since the World Health Organization said the novel coronavirus - which belongs to the same family as the coronavirus that spawned the 2003 outbreak of Severe http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=127103&sid=37847183&con_type=1&d_str=20121008&fc=10
UPDATE 2-Deadly US meningitis outbreak increases to 91 cases
Sun Oct 7, 2012 3:28pm EDT
* Most new cases in Michigan
* Thousands of patients may have received injections
By Tim Ghianni
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct 7 (Reuters) - U.S. health officials on Sunday reported an additional 27 cases in a fungal meningitis outbreak linked to steroid injections that has killed seven people and now affected 91 in nine states.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a new total of 91 cases in an update on its website, up from 64 on Saturday. Most of the new cases were reported in Michigan, where the total increased to 20 from five. Virginia's total increased to 18 from 11.
The widening outbreak has alarmed U.S. health officials and focused attention on regulations of pharmaceutical compounding companies like the one that produced the drugs, the New England Compounding Center Inc in Framingham, Massachusetts.
The company shipped 17,676 vials of the steroid methylprednisolone acetate to 76 facilities in 23 states from July through September, the Massachusetts Health Department said.
The steroid is used as a painkiller, usually for the back, and could have been injected in thousands of patients, authorities have said.
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, and affected patients started showing a variety of symptoms from one to four weeks after their injections.
The company, which was previously the subject of complaints, said it suspended its operations while an investigation proceeds and has recalled the three lots of the drug.
A compounding pharmacy takes medications from pharmaceuticals manufacturers and makes them into specific dosages and strengths for use by doctors.
Complaints against New England Compounding Center (NECC) in 2002 and 2003 about the processing of medication resulted in an agreement with government agencies in 2006 to correct deficiencies, the Massachusetts Health Department said.
LIMITED FDA AUTHORITY
In 2011, there was another inspection of the facility and no deficiencies were found. In March 2012, another complaint was made about the potency of a product used in eye surgery procedures. That investigation is continuing, the state health department said.
The U.S. Food and Drug administration has limited authority over the day-to-day operations of compounding pharmacies, which are regulated primarily by state boards that oversee the practices, licensing and certification of pharmacies and pharmacists.
Compounded products do not have to win FDA approval before they are sold, and the agency has no jurisdiction over how the products are manufactured or labeled for use. Instead, the FDA investigates cases of adulterated drugs in cooperation with state regulators.
The FDA has tried to exert greater authority over compounded drug products under a section of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act that covers new drugs. But those efforts led to federal court challenges that resulted in two separate and conflicting rulings at the appellate level.
The nine states where cases have been reported are Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.
Tennessee, where the outbreak was first detected, accounted for most of the cases, with 32, including three deaths. Many patients there remain hospitalized, some in critical condition.
Michigan had 20 cases and two deaths. One person died in Maryland and another in Virginia, the CDC said.
Reuters had reported 65 cases on Saturday, including one additional case after the CDC published its total.
This form of meningitis is not contagious, the CDC said. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and neurological problems that would be consistent with deep brain stroke.
The steroid was sent to California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and West Virginia, the CDC said.
A list of facilities that received vials from the infected lots can be found online via the website cdc.gov.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8L723D20121007
Multi-State Meningitis Outbreak - Current Case Count October 7, 2012 2:00 PM EDT Persons with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, by State Persons with meningitis linked to epidural steroid injections, as of October 7, 2012: Total case count: 91 Florida: 4 cases Indiana: 8 cases Maryland: 3 cases, including 1 death Michigan: 20 cases, including 2 deaths Minnesota: 3 case North Carolina: 2 cases Ohio: 1 case Tennessee: 32 cases, including 3 deaths Virginia: 18 cases, including 1 death http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html
Multi-State Meningitis Outbreak - Current Case Count
October 7, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
Persons with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, by State
Persons with meningitis linked to epidural steroid injections, as of October 7, 2012:
Total case count: 91
Florida: 4 cases
Indiana: 8 cases
Maryland: 3 cases, including 1 death
Michigan: 20 cases, including 2 deaths
Minnesota: 3 case
North Carolina: 2 cases
Ohio: 1 case
Tennessee: 32 cases, including 3 deaths
Virginia: 18 cases, including 1 death
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html
October 7, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
Persons with Meningitis Linked to Epidural Steroid Injections, by State
Persons with meningitis linked to epidural steroid injections, as of October 7, 2012:
Total case count: 91
Florida: 4 cases
Indiana: 8 cases
Maryland: 3 cases, including 1 death
Michigan: 20 cases, including 2 deaths
Minnesota: 3 case
North Carolina: 2 cases
Ohio: 1 case
Tennessee: 32 cases, including 3 deaths
Virginia: 18 cases, including 1 death
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis-map.html
CDC: More than 90 people ill with meningitis
Published : Sunday, 07 Oct 2012, 1:33 PM CDT
ATLANTA (AP) —Health officials say they have now confirmed more than 90 cases of a rare fungal meningitis that has been linked to a steroid commonly used to ease back pain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted updated figures to its website Sunday. The death toll stood at 7, the same number as a day earlier.The outbreak is spread across nine states, the same states reported Saturday: Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.
The CDC figures show there are 91 cases in the U.S. altogether.
The steroid linked to the outbreak has been recalled, and health officials have been scrambling to notify anyone who may have received an injection of it. The Massachusetts pharmacy that made it has said it is cooperating with investigators.
http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/national/CDC-More-than-90-people-ill-with-meningitis_39905146
U.S. CDC to give update on deadly meningitis outbreak Sunday
U.S. CDC to give update on deadly meningitis outbreak Sunday
Oct 7 (Reuters) - The latest tally of cases in a widening outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to steroid injections will be made available at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said...As of Saturday, the death toll had risen to seven and 65 people in nine states were reported to have fallen ill after receiving steroid injections. The cases have been traced to three lots of the steroid prepared by a pharmaceutical compounding plant in Massachusetts, New England Compounding Center Inc.
The CDC, which advised of the pending update on its website, said vials of steroids linked to the outbreak were shipped to 76 facilities in 23 states and could have been used to inject thousands of patients.
So far, cases of people becoming ill after receiving the steroid injections have been reported in Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.
Deaths have been reported in Tennessee, Maryland, Michigan and Virginia.
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The particular form affecting people in the outbreak is not contagious.
:tiphat:[url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/07/health-meningitis-idUSL1E8L71H420121007[/url]
Hong Kong probes suspected case of new coronavirus infection
|
HONG KONG (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's health authority received a report from a local hospital on Sunday, over a suspected case of severe respiratory disease associated with new coronavirus affecting a four-year-old boy who came from Jeddah of Saudi Arabia, the city government said in a statement.
The boy presented with fever, cough and vomiting today and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital on Hong Kong Island. The boy has been transferred to Queen Mary Hospital for isolation, and his current condition is stable.
Respiratory specimen has been taken from the patient and test result is pending, according to the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health.
Investigation by the Center for Health Protection revealed that the boy traveled with his father from Saudi Arabia to Hong Kong on Oct. 3. His father also had fever two days ago but has recovered.
A spokesman with the Center advised travelers who fall sick within 10 days after visiting from affected countries should put on a mask and seek medical advice immediately, as well as report their travel history to the doctor concerned.
The WHO said earlier that two cases of acute respiratory syndrome with renal failure had been reported from two persons who had both traveled to Middle East, and a novel coronavirus has been later confirmed relating to the two cases.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which includes viruses that cause the common cold and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=857212&publicationSubCategoryId=200
The boy presented with fever, cough and vomiting today and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee Hospital on Hong Kong Island. The boy has been transferred to Queen Mary Hospital for isolation, and his current condition is stable.
Respiratory specimen has been taken from the patient and test result is pending, according to the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health.
Investigation by the Center for Health Protection revealed that the boy traveled with his father from Saudi Arabia to Hong Kong on Oct. 3. His father also had fever two days ago but has recovered.
A spokesman with the Center advised travelers who fall sick within 10 days after visiting from affected countries should put on a mask and seek medical advice immediately, as well as report their travel history to the doctor concerned.
The WHO said earlier that two cases of acute respiratory syndrome with renal failure had been reported from two persons who had both traveled to Middle East, and a novel coronavirus has been later confirmed relating to the two cases.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which includes viruses that cause the common cold and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=857212&publicationSubCategoryId=200
Seven dead from meningitis outbreak..
Seven dead from meningitis outbreak... amid fears THOUSANDS at risk across 23 states
- Two more deaths have been reported in Michigan, bringing the total death toll to seven
- 64 people have been sickened in nine states - Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio
- Massachusetts company who made product has shut down operations
|
The potential scope of the meningitis outbreak, that has sickened 64 people, widened dramatically as health officials warned that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of patients who received steroid back injections in 23 states could be at risk.
The outbreak of the disease, known as aspergillus meningitis, is caused by a fungus found in a spinal steroid injections, a fairly common treatment used to relieve back pain, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration....
Beware: Health officials warned that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of patients who received steroid back injections in 23 states could be at risk (stock photo)
The caretaker: Diana Reed dedicated her life to helping underprivileged children before a routine medical procedure infected her with a rare fungal meningitis
Source: The outbreak of the deadly form of meningitis was traced to St Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee
The injectable steroids responsible for Reed's death were produced by New England Compounding Center, a specialized pharmacy in Framingham, Massachusetts. The company has shut down operations and said it is working with regulators to identify the source of the infection.
It is not clear how many patients received tainted injections, or even whether everyone who got one will get sick.
So far, 64 people in nine states - Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio - have contracted fungal meningitis, and five have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In an alarming indication that the outbreak could get a lot bigger, Massachusetts health officials said the pharmacy involved, the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, has recalled three lots consisting of a total of 17,676 single-dose vials of the steroid, preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate.
No solicitors: Specialized pharmacy New England Compounding Center has hidden from the public as its steroids are linked to multiple deaths and critical infections
An unknown number of those vials reached 75 clinics and other facilities in 23 states between July and September, federal health officials said. Several hundred of the vials, maybe more, have been returned unused, one Massachusetts official said.
However many other vials were used. At one clinic in Evansville, Indiana, more than 500 patients got shots from the suspect lots, officials said. At two clinics in Tennessee, more than 900 patients received them.
The incubation period before symptoms appear is 28 days, and its almost certain more cases will be reported say health officials, who are now calling this a national health crisis.
STATE-BY-STATE BREAKDOWN
Tennessee: The initial outbreak site with a suspected 16 cases, two of whom are in critical condition. Three others have already died.
North Carolina: The second state to report infection with one case found at an unidentified clinic.
Florida: Only two cases have been reported but health officials fear more may come forward.
Virginia: One person has died from fungal meningitis and three more cases are still being treated.
Maryland: Seven medical clinics in Maryland pulled their stock of a questionable steroid after one person died and two more cases were reported.
Indiana: At least five people in Indiana are sick with fungal meningitis, with no fatalities yet reported
Michigan: There are at least eight confirmed cases of meningitis in Michigan, including two deaths
Minnesota: Fungal meningitis has been diagnosed in two women hospitalized in Minnesota
Ohio: Health officials reported Saturday of a 65-year-old man being treated for the meningitis after receiving the steroid
Unlike the more common viral and bacterial meningitis, fungal meningitis is not contagious. It is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms include a severe headache, nausea, fever, and dizziness.
The first patients identified in Tennessee experienced slurred speech, and difficulty walking and urinating.
The pharmacy voluntarily recalled three lots of the steroid Methylprednisolone Acetate on September 26 according to the FDA. The drug is primarily used to relieve back pain.
The drug was administered to patients in their late 40s to early 80s.
Tennessee's S. Thomas Hospital, ground zero for the outbreak with a suspected 15 cases as of Wednesday with two in critical condition, reported having 2,000 vials of the steroid in stock before the threat was discovered.
'Some are doing well and improving. Some are very ill - very, very seriously ill and may die,' Tennessee health official Dr. David Reagan said.
In Tennessee alone roughly 1,000 people were administered the steroid.
The link between the injections and the meningitis was discovered by Tennessee physician April Pettit, who found the initial cases were all people who'd recently received an epidural.
Officials are still investigating how the steroid ...
Egypt- Discovery of bird flu market Ashmun
The Directorate of Veterinary Medicine Menoufia, Sunday morning discovery of a new focus of bird flu market Ashmun public. has campaigns organized by the Directorate Bokhadd samples from birds for analysis through the villages, and centers to maintain and samples were the result is positive, which means the disease. currently being executions infected birds, and the burial of health through cleansing market, and take a sample of the contacts have to be analyzed to make sure illness or not. http://gate.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/35/258687/%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1/%D8%B8%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A4%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D8%A5%D9%86%D9%81%D9%84%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B2%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D9%88%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%A9.aspx
Discovery focus positive for bird flu Menoufia
Discovery focus positive for bird flu Menoufia |
| 2012 - 02:30:26 Sunday 0 |
Egypt- New #H5N1 outbreak suspected
The emergence of a new focus of bird flu Menoufia
Managed Directorate of Veterinary Medicine Menoufia discovery of a new focus of bird flu market Ashmun GP, and was immediately taken it samples from birds for analysis, through campaigns organized by the Directorate villages and centers the province and the result of samples positive disease. operations are presently carried culling infected and buried roads health with cleansing the market, and take a sample of her contacts analyzed to make sure the illness or not. http://www2.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=808457
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Up to 1,000 Minnesota patients linked to meningitis outbreak; no reports in Coulee Region
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Health estimates that as many as 1,000 patients may have received contaminated steroids that have been implicated in a national meningitis outbreak, but no patients in the Coulee Region have been exposed.
Two Twin Cities-based health care groups used steroids from the same product lots that have been linked to the deaths of five patients and 30 illnesses in six states.
So far Minnesota has not identified any cases of fungal meningitis related to the outbreak.
Officials at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse and Winona Health in Winona checked their pharmaceutical supplies and determined they never had that brand of steroid in their facilities, spokesmen said.
Officials with Medical Advanced Pain Specialists and the Minnesota Surgery Center are scrambling to contact all of their patients who received the potentially contaminated steroid injections. Medical Advanced Pain Specialists has locations in E http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/up-to-minnesota-patients-linked-to-meningitis-outbreak-no-reports/article_3045d8fe-0f74-11e2-bf70-001a4bcf887a.html?comment_form=true
Friday, October 5, 2012
Maryland braces for more meningitis cases
Outbreak widens across the country
The potential scope of the meningitis outbreak that has killed at least five people widened Thursday as health officials warned that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of patients who got steroid back injections in 23 states could be at risk.By Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun
[B]8:15 p.m. EDT, October 5, 2012[/B]
Maryland could see new cases of meningitis for a month or more as health officials continue to search for new and past cases of the disease, which has sickened 50 people in several states who received injections of a tainted steroid.
[B]In the cases health officials are already aware of, the incubation period for the infections has been between two days and four weeks, but it's possible the period could be even longer for some, said Dr. Lucy Wilson, chief of Maryland's infection preventi[/B]on and outbreak response program. Health officials are basing their estimate on the existing cases, but it could change, Wilson said. http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-meningitis-more-20121005,0,4173607.story?
Number of U.S. meningitis cases rises to 50 in deadly outbreak
Fri, 5 Oct 2012 23:18 GMT
Source: Reuters // Reuters
* Vials of steroids linked to outbreak sent to 23 states
* Doctor urges that recipients be tracked down immediately
By Tim Ghianni
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct 5 (Reuters) - The number of people stricken with a rare form of meningitis linked to steroid injections rose to 50 in seven U.S. states, authorities said on Friday, in a widening outbreak that has killed at least five people.
Michigan said it had confirmed six cases of fungal meningitis, the seventh state to report people falling ill after receiving the injections, mainly for back pain.
Other states with cases are Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina and Indiana.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported 47 cases of meningitis on Friday, while Michigan reported an additional two cases and North Carolina one not included in the CDC count. That brought the national total to 50, compared with 35 on Thursday...
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/n...adly-outbreak?
Ebola: a virus, two epidemics
05.10.2012 | BY AFRICA IS NOT A COUNTRY
Ebola: a virus, two epidemics (Alfonso Verdú, MSF emergency coordinator)
Kagadi Hospital (Uganda) where MSF launched an emergency intervention to fight Ebola. © MSF
Roger had Ebola. Besides treating him and strengthen him so he could fight a virus for which we have no vaccine, it was essential to keep spirits high and to give comprehensive assistance . To do this we videotaped messages crowd of family and friends, some dancing, others encouraging him, which will then project from the visitor's area on a large screen. At the end of the corridor we could see his huge smile that illuminated the flag of confirmed cases. A projection joined some of the people who were under our monitoring and retained the strength to get out of bed and go to the corridor that gives the visiting area. Mom or La Petite Charlotte Louise received the news that they would be forthcoming.
Emotional support to patients and their close circles affects their general welfare . That is why from the beginning we designed the Ebola Treatment Center (ETC) in a way that will have a series of open spaces where family and friends can look out to talk to them, guaranteeing a safe distance. A simple forecast whose consequences are extraordinary: the center, inhabited by real astronauts (due to the protective equipment that must be used) suddenly becomes human; families who thought their loved ones would be isolated from life, suddenly interact with them, the community, where it was rumored that whoever comes out alive with Ebola, is informed that there still occur sometimes miracles. http://www.msf.es/blog/africa-no-es-un-pais/2012/ebola-un-virus-dos-epidemias-por-alfonso-verdu-coordinador-emergencia
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