3rd meningitis death confirmed in Ind.

There have been 17 more documented cases of fungal meningitis and one more death in Indiana in the last two weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The latest increase brings the total number of documented cases in Indiana to 45, with three deaths. The cases are linked to contaminated steroid injections administered by the New England Compounding Company to relieve back and joint pain. The NECC has since voluntarily recalled the medication, and the CDC is in the process of working with states to investigate other NECC products.

Fungal meningitis is not contagious, but symptoms often take time to manifest themselves, so patients should continue to pay attention to possible development of fevers, stiffness and headaches.

The CDC has documented 356 cases of fungal meningitis with 28 deaths plus seven peripheral joint infections across 19 states. Approximately 14,000 patients received the medication, as estimated by the CDC in conjunction with state health departments. There are 1,502 people in Indiana who have been exposed to the medication, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

“Unfortunately, the number of patients and victims has grown,” State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin said in a press release. “Every patient exposed in Indiana has been contacted by their health care provider. Once again, we emphasize that fungal meningitis is not contagious as it is not transmitted from person to person.”