State health officials investigate multi-state meningitis outbreak

State health officials are investigating after hospitals and clinics across the country received potentially tainted doses of a steroid injection used to combat chronic pain.

Indiana is now one of the states involved.

The injection is connected to dozens of cases of fungal meningitis across the country. The state health department says some patients outside of Indiana have had strokes that are believed to have resulted from their infection, and at least four deaths have been reported.

Only one case is confirmed in Indiana.

Health officials believe the potentially tainted doses were sent to six places: Ambulatory Care Center, LLP in Evansville, · Ft. Wayne Physical Medicine in Ft. Wayne, OSMC Outpatient Surgery Center in Elkhart, South Bend Clinic in South Bend, Union Hospital in Terre Haute, and Wellspring Pain Solutions in Columbus.

Only one case of fungal meningitis has been confirmed at this point in Indiana.

Dr. Drew Robertson at Wellspring Pain Solutions in Columbus says he’s working to be proactive. Robertson says the clinic received word last week that some of the vials they'd used between July 1 and September 28 were from the same "lot" as those believed to have caused fungal meningitis across the country.

They’re used for epidural and spinal steroid injections for chronic pain.

“We have returned those to the manufacturer; it seems to be where the issue is,” said Dr. Robertson.

The clinic is sending out a letter to about 300 patients who received the certain injection during that time.

“We are working to notify all health care providers statewide just in case there are others… that may not be on our list right now,” said Pam Pontones, State Epidemiologist with the Indiana State Department of Health.

State health officials are working with federal officials across the country, as well.

“The exact source of contamination is not known… that’s an active part of the investigation right now,” added Pontones.

Dr. Robertson says he's hoping all of his patients will take note.

Watch for signs and symptoms of meningitis: headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, and fever.

Officials at the state health department wanted to make clear that other drugs used for injections, and immunizations aren't included in this. This also isn't the same drug as women receive during labor.

Dr. Robertson also mentioned, we're not talking about oral pain medications.

He also says all his injections have been checked, and those he's currently using - are safe.

This particular meningitis can’t be spread by person to person contact.

The state health department says all infected patients received an injection with preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate, prepared by the New England Compounding Center, of Framingham, Mass.

The lots of medication, listed below, that were used on infected patients have been recalled.·         Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #05212012@68, BUD 11/17/2012 ·         Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #06292012@26, BUD 12/26/2012·         Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/ml Injection, Lot #08102012@51, BUD 2/6/2013