Msdh.state.ms.us2

Multistate Outbreak of Fungal Infections
Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
along with state health departments, are investigating a multistate outbreak of fungal infections, mainly meningitis, in
patients who received injections with potentially contaminated medications from the New England Compounding
Center (NECC)
What types of illnesses are being seen? Most of the infections have led to meningitis, an inflammation of the covering
of the brain and spinal cord. Some joint infections have also been seen. Some deaths have been reported.
What is causing the infections? The infections are caused by a fungus. All infected patients received injections of a type
of steroid, methylprednisolone, which came from three potentially contaminated lots produced by NECC. This
medication has been recalled and is no longer on the market.
What is the steroid used for? It can be used for epidural back injections and joint injections.
Did any facilities in Mississippi receive the implicated steroid? NO. The methylprednisolone that has been directly
associated with the fungal infections was NOT shipped to Mississippi. However, 23 U.S. states did receive the potentially
contaminated medication.
Have any Mississippi residents become ill? NO. There are no reported cases of fungal infections in Mississippi residents
that are associated with this outbreak.
Have other NECC medications been recalled? Yes, all products produced by NECC have been recalled and healthcare
providers and patients have been advised to cease using any product from NECC.
Are other medications from NECC associated with infections? To date, there are no reports of any infections that are
directly linked to other products from NECC.
Are there recommendations for patients who are exposed to other NECC products that have not been implicated?
Again, there is no direct evidence that fungal infections have been caused by any other NECC products. However, the
FDA has advised clinicians to follow up with patients who received any injectable product, including ophthalmic drugs
that are injectable or used in conjunction with eye surgery, or a cardioplegic solution purchased from or produced by
NECC after May 21, 2012.
Were any of these additional injectable products shipped to Mississippi? Yes, several Mississippi facilities did receive
these medications and MSDH is working with those facilities to provide information and guidance.
What if people who received these injections are showing symptoms? In patients who report signs and symptoms of
infection following high-risk exposure to one of these NECC products, clinicians should perform a thorough diagnostic
evaluation to exclude fungal infection. Consultation with an infectious diseases specialist is strongly encouraged to help
make treatment decisions in these cases.
What if I am not sure whether I was exposed to any of these medications? Again, Mississippi did not receive any of the
three lots of methylprednisolone that have been directly linked to the fungal infections. If you have concerns or have
any symptoms of infection, you should contact your primary care physician.
Where can I get more information?
• CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/ • FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/

Source: http://msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_static/resources/5081.pdf