21 people are now dead from a fungal meningitis outbreak
Twenty-one people are dead and there are 271 cases of fungal meningitis.
There are 268 cases of fungal meningitis, strokes that are possibly caused by the meningitis, and central nervous system infections associated with the steroid shot, as well as three others infected who received shots in their joints, according to NBC News.
Approximately 14,000 people have received the contaminated steroid shot that was distributed by the New England Compounding Pharmacy in Framingham, Massachusetts. Reports started to come in that date back to shots given in May and since then all products from the pharmacy have been recalled.
Federal health officials found the fungus Exserohilum rostratum, on Thursday, in unopened medication vials that are associated with one of three lots of methylprednisolone, which is the steroid given to the patients.
Also, Aspergillus, a mold, was found in a patient and another had the fungus Cladosporium.
Ameridose LLC, a pharmacy connected to NECC, agreed to a temporary shutdown while state and federal regulators investigate the company. Ameridose shares common ownership with NECC.
According to Reuters, Peter McGrath, a lawyer, is presenting a civil case that blames the NECC and the officers Barry and Lisa Cadden and Greg Conigliaro for the tainted drugs. The lawsuit is by an unnamed plaintiff from suburban Boston.
“We want to pierce the corporate veil and go after the individuals,” McGrath said.
The Florida Surgeon General, John Armstrong, said the NECC will no longer be able to do business in the state.
“The company will cease to operate as a pharmacy in our state, immediately. Further, the NECC may never re-apply for a pharmacy permit in the state of Florida,” he said.
