Ohio ties to meningitis outbreak - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

The scope of a nationwide meningitis outbreak is growing dramatically. So far dozens have contracted fungal meningitis and five people have died. The outbreak stems from a batch of shots from a compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts. Health experts warn that hundreds or even thousands of others could be at risk.

We do know that some of the steroids from the New England compounding company were shipped to more than 20 states including Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

We checked in with ProMedica, Mercy and The University of Toledo Medical Center and they all tell us they do not do business with the company.

Like many doctors, Lucas County Health Commissioner Dr. David Grossman uses the same steroid involved in this outbreak in his practice on a regular basis, "We're very surprised, this is one of those things that shouldn't have happened. I promise you there are millions of doses of this drug in doctor's offices and they are very safe. I am sure they will all be looked at. This appears for all intensive purposes to be related to a contaminated medication."

The New England compounding center in Massachusetts has recalled more than 17,000 doses of the single dose steroid that's being linked to the fungal meningitis cases. An unknown number of those vials made it to health clinics and medical centers in 23 states. Dr. Grossman says the steroid shots are commonly given to patients with back pain,"The last thing we expect from a treatment is to cause a disease."

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Unlike the more common forms the rare fungal meningitis in these cases is not contagious. It's caused by a fungus often found in leaf mold. Dr. Grossman says there are no reports of any cases in Lucas County, "To my knowledge and the health department's knowledge we don't have any cases we are aware of. Nothing has been reported to us."

Michael Thomas is a clinical pharmacy manager at Toledo Hospital and while they do use compounded medicines in the hospital, they have not dealt with the company in question. He adds that all kinds of checks and balances are in place,"We compound chemotherapy, narcotics, epidurals and a number of other things. It is not an uncommon practice and we have high quality standards we look at and there is testing we utilize."

The time from infection to the onset of symptoms is anywhere from a few days to a month so there is concern that the number of people affected could go up. Dr. Grossman says it is critical to be aware of the symptoms and to get help quickly if necessary,"Headache, nausea, confusion, look for anything unusual after you've had one of these shots, there are going to be a high number of people who think they have it but don't, but I would get it checked out."

The New England Compounding Center has shut down operations and says it is working with regulators to identify the source of the infection. According to Massachusetts leaders the company makes dozens of other medical products. A 2011 state inspection gave the business a clean bill of health. Once again Dr. Grossman says if you got this kind of steroid shot and have any concerns call your doctor.