The fungal meningitis outbreak has reached 15 states, including 247 people and killed 19. All patients received injected steroids for back pain that were contaminated by a fungus. They developed fungal meningitis soon after getting the injection some even developed joint infections. Tests are starting to show that there could be three different kinds of fungus, one being black mold but most, Exserohilum fungus.

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating a pharmacy in Massachusetts, the New England Compounding Company, responsible for distributing the contaminated vials of the steroids. The company has recalled all of its products and has stopped production while under investigation.

The FDA said they found fungus in at least 50 vials of the steroid, methylprednisolone acetate, but they do not know what type of fungus it is. They are starting to investigate different drugs distributed by the NECC to see if they too contain any type of fungi.

Read the full story here. http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/2012/10/17/meningitis-outbreak-deaths-rise/9QmdbsSXdWkoOZvi3X15DO/story.html