15 dead; 197 sick

Another Death Reported in Meningitis Outbreak

By REUTERS

Published: October 13, 2012

Another person has died from fungal meningitis linked to possibly tainted vials of a steroid medication, bringing the death toll in an outbreak to 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Saturday.

The latest victim was in Indiana, which has now reported two deaths from the rare form of meningitis.

The number of people stricken in the outbreak reached 197 on Saturday, up 13 from Friday, the center reported. In addition, there is one case of an infection after an injection in an ankle that has not been confirmed as meningitis.

Illinois reported its first case of meningitis since the wave of infections began.

The outbreak has turned into a major health scandal after a company based in Massachusetts shipped vials that may have been tainted to 23 states and 76 medical facilities.

The scare has prompted multiple investigations, and the company, New England Compounding Center, has recalled the product and suspended operations