More cases have been reported in this week’s meningitis outbreak have officials looking for people who were exposed to Methylprednisolone Acetate, a spinal injection drug for back pain. Possibly thousands of patients were exposed, and health official say they can expect cases to rise over the next month or more as the incubation period can be over 30 days. Doctors urge anyone who has had a spinal injection for pain the the past several months to contact their doctor if they become ill. Symptoms may include fever, stiff neck, headache, light sensitivity, loss of balance, slurred speech, or nausea. Fungal meningitis is not contagious, and will only effect those who received the tainted medicine.
Read More: Officials Seek Patients Exposed to Tainted Back-Pain Drug – NYTimes.com
CDC Outbreak Map: CDC – Multi-State Meningitis Facilities Outbreak map – HAI