Thursday, November 15 2012 4:43 PM EST2012-11-15 21:43:06 GMT
On Thursday, a Minnesota attorney announced what he says is the first federal lawsuit against the company blamed for a deadly outbreak of fungal meningitis.
On Thursday, a Minnesota attorney announced what he says is the first federal lawsuit against the company blamed for a deadly outbreak of fungal meningitis.
Minnesota Department of Health is urging patients who received steroid injections from the Massachusetts pharmacy linked to an outbreak of fungal meningitis to remain vigilant as more diseases linked to the drugs emerge.
States across the country are seeing a second wave of fungal sicknesses among patients who received medicines manufactured at the New England Compounding Center.
In Minnesota, a woman in her 20s was found to have a fungal infection inside her bones that is consistent with osteomyelitis. She is not currently hospitalized.
This latest case marks the 13th infection in Minnesota related to the contaminated drugs. Of the previous cases, one other Minnesota patient also experienced a bone infection.
A number of other states have also documented cases of infected collections of fluid, or abscesses, at the site where the contaminated injections were administered.
In light of the newly emerging fungal illnesses, state officials are encouraging patients who received the steroid products to remain in close contact with their health care providers, especially if symptoms are persisting. Providers are also being urged to include imaging tests to look for bone infections or abscesses.
The death toll in the outbreak climbed to 32 this week, with over 460 total cases. Michigan appears to be the hardest-hit state, with 148 cases reported so far.
