WMOT 89.5 | LISTENER-POWERED RADIO INDEPENDENT AMERICAN ROOTS
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Another Meningitis Fatality in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Tennessee has suffered another fatality resulting from a deadly meningitis outbreak.  

Health officials say the number of people sickened has now reached 105 cases. Eight people have died, four in Tennessee.

The fungal meningitis outbreak has been tied to steroid shots for back pain. The steroid was made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, the State Department of Health announced that it has identified about 1000 Tennesseans who received the contaminated medication. Officials believe they’ve now had direct contact with nearly all those residents

Officials say they’re seeing promising results when the meningitis is identified in patients early and treatment begins immediately.

State Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner is urging Tennesseans to stop using any product produced by the compounding company.

“Regardless of where you’re located, if it says NECC on the bottle or the vial or the package, to not use it. Wait for additional information from the manufacturer as is planned. But certainly don’t use the materials if you happen to have them.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases tied to the outbreak have been reported now in nine states.