More new cases of fungal meningitis have been confirmed at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor. These cases are part of the multi-state outbreak of a rare form of fungal meningitis (Exserohilum) tied to a contaminated supply of epidural steroid injections, specifically methylprednisolone acetate from New England Compounding Center (NECC) based in Framingham, Mass.
The hospital is treating most of the Michigan meningitis cases that have been confirmed by the CDC, to date 41, three of them fatal. All of the patients received epidural spinal steroid injections from one of the following four clinics identified by the Michigan Department of Community Health:
- Michigan Neurosurgical Institute in Grand Blanc
- Michigan Pain Specialists in Brighton
- Neuromuscular & Rehabilitation in Traverse City
- Southeast Michigan Surgical Hospital in Warren.
None of the patients had epidural spinal steroid shots at a St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. According to a hospital press release, “Patients who received spinal steroid injections at a [St. Joseph Mercy] hospital or pain clinic are not at risk for this type of meningitis because no [St. Joseph Mercy] facility receives methylprednisolone acetate from NECC. . . The CDC has approved the supplies carried at [St. Joseph Mercy] facilities as safe to continue to administer to patients.”
St. Joseph Mercy staff began tracking meningitis symptoms among several patients, and have been working closely with the Michigan Department of Community Health to facilitate early identification and treatment for other suspected cases.
Attorney Fred Pritzker represents meningitis victims nationwide. He has offices at Plaza Seven, Suite 2950, 45 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, MN.
