Meningitis outbreak toll: 338 cases, 25 deaths

[October 27, 2012]  (AP) -- An outbreak of fungal meningitis has been linked to steroid shots for back pain. The medication, made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts, has been recalled. Latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Illnesses: 338, including seven joint infections.

Deaths: 25.

States: 18: Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

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Online:

CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html

[Associated Press]

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