This news item expired on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
The CDC has issued a Health Advisory, concerning a multi-state outbreak of a non-contagious type of meningitis caused by a fungus associated with a potentially contaminated medication.
At this time, Buncombe County does not have any cases; however, cases of fungal meningitis have been confirmed in North Carolina. Three clinics in North Carolina have received the recalled lots:
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High Point Surgery Center - High Point, North Carolina
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Surgical Center of Wilson – Wilson, North Carolina
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North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic – Durham, North Carolina
Health officials at the FDA and CDC are focusing on steroid medicines used to treat patients with back pain as the source of the outbreak. All medical providers who received the medicines have been notified and are notifying patients who may have received the associated medication.
Symptoms of infection have developed between 1-4 weeks after receiving injection and include the following: fever, severe headache, nausea, dizziness, and possibly mental disorientation.
For updates on the medication recall, number of cases and patient information, please click the following link to view CDC information for patients and health care providers: http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis.html