Fungal Meningitis outbreak hits Eastern Idaho | News

The fungal meningitis outbreak has hit Idaho. The state Department of Health and Welfare says an Eastern Idaho man received an epidural steroid injection in September and has been diagnosed with the disease. Due to HIPPA laws, we don't have any updates on the Idaho man's condition.

The shipments of recalled injections were delivered to Walter Knox Memorial Hospital in Emmett and Pain Specialists of Idaho in Idaho Falls. At this point, only four people received injections at Walter Knox and 35 were given injections at Pain Specialists.

Including this latest case in Idaho, 138 people in 11 states have become sick with the non-contagious illness. 14 people have died from it. The CDC estimates 13,000 people across the country received the injections.

Idaho State Epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn says, “We are very concerned for this patient and are working closely with his physicians. We urge patients who received injections from either of these facilities to maintain close contact with their medical providers and notify them if any new symptoms develop over the next few weeks.”

Symptoms may include a new or worsening headache, dizziness, fever, nausea, and sensitivity to light. A number of people who became ill also had symptoms of stroke, such as weakness or difficulty with speech. Most of the illnesses are being reported one to four weeks after the injection was received. Fungal meningitis is not transmitted from person to person.

For more information: http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html