3 MN Fungal Meningitis Cases; Tainted Steroid Used in Fridley, Edina, Maple Grove, Shakopee

An outbreak of fungal meningitis has killed seven people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and it has made 91 sick in nine states—including three in Minnesota. All three are women in their 40s, according to MPR.

The infection isn't contagious. It is linked to a steroid treatment product made by the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, MA, according to the the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). New England Compounding Center has issued a nationwide recall of all its products.

Two providers gave patients the steroid treatment at six sites in Fridley, Edina, Maple Grove and Shakopee, according to the MDH:

• Medical Advanced Pain Specialists (MAPS) in Edina, Fridley, Shakopee and Maple Grove

• Minnesota Surgery Center (MSC) in Edina and Maple Grove

The Minnesota Department of Health has not said exactly how or where the two Minnesotans got the infection. 

The MDH is contacting nearly 1,000 people who received the tainted steroids. Here is an update on the fungal meningitis outbreak from the MDH on Saturday:

Approximately 950 Minnesota patients are now believed to have been treated with the implicated steroid products. As of Saturday morning, approximately 350 of the patients had been contacted by MDH or MAPS. Officials hope to finish contacting the rest by Sunday night.

More information on fungal meningitis from the MDH:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the outbreak at the national level. The New England Compounding Center has closed and ceased operation since the outbreak was discovered. CDC and FDA have advised health care providers to stop using any products produced by the firm. ...

MAPS, MSC and MDH are working to contact and follow up with MAPS patients who were treated with the product. MAPS and MSC are the only Minnesota providers known to have used the implicated product.

The fungal infections associated with the steroid product produce an uncommon form of meningitis, which should not be confused with the viral or bacterial forms of the illness with which most people are familiar. This form of the illness cannot be transmitted from person to person.

MDH is working with MAPS and MSC to contact all of the patients who received the steroid product. However, patients who may have received the product while being treated at MAPS or MSC are urged to contact MAPS, MSC or their primary health care provider if they develop possible symptoms of the fungal infection.

For patients who received a steroid injection in the spinal area, symptoms may include headache, worsening of a headache that was already present, fever, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, or pain at the site where they received their injection.  Many of the patients who became ill also had symptoms of stroke, such as weakness, difficulty with speech, visual changes or altered consciousness.

For patients who received an injection in another part of the body, symptoms may include swelling, redness and pain around the injection site, and fever or chills.

Patients with symptoms should be evaluated promptly for potential infection. The symptoms typically appear anywhere from one to four weeks after receiving the injection, but could begin earlier or later.

MAPS or MSC patients with questions can contact the clinics at 763-537-6000.  Health care providers who believe they may have a patient with the infection should call MDH at 651-201-5414.

News release provided by the Minnesota Department of Health on Oct. 4, 2012.