Meningitis Cases Rise to 20 in Michigan, 2 Deaths

A number of people in the Flint, Michigan area have died from or been sickened by fungal meningitis linked to tainted epidural steroid injections. There are now at least 20 confirmed cases of meningitis in Michigan, including two deaths, from steroid shots that are used in treatment of back pain. The shots were produced at a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts that compounds certain medications.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates the company made 17,676 potentially tainted shots that were shipped to 75 clinics in 23 states. Michigan Neurological Institute near Grand Blanc, Michigan Pain Specialists in Brighton and two other clinics in Michigan have received the tainted shots.

The number of cases are rising now because medical experts are identifying more illnesses among people who already received the steroid shots. The injections were given between July and September 2012. Most patients who are affected will develop symptoms between one and four weeks after receiving their treatments.

Meningitis is a serious disease with the potential of causing deadly inflammation in the brain or nervous system. The fungal form of the disease, prominent in this recent outbreak, is very difficult to diagnose because the initial symptoms can be mild and mimic those of less serious illnesses. Symptoms may include fever, headache, a stiff neck and nausea.

If you or a loved one have received an injection from one of the clinics listed above, call the attorneys at the Law Offices of Henry Hanflik, at 810-919-3402 or toll free at 888-905-4632,  for a free consultation. Although you may not have symptoms of meningitis now, you may develop them over the next few weeks. It is too early to know how many people will be affected by this tainted drug. Call us. We can help you now!