CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two more people in New Hampshire have been diagnosed with fungal meningitis related to a national outbreak bringing the number affected in the state to eight.
Nationally, 16 states have reported 257 cases of fungal meningitis to date, including 20 deaths.The victims in the outbreak had all received steroid shots made by a Massachusetts specialty pharmacy, mostly to treat back pain. In New Hampshire, the medication believed to be related to the outbreak was distributed to Pain Care LLC's locations in Somersworth, Merrimack and Newington.
The state Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday that the two new patients are a male and female, both of whom are receiving treatment.
Meningitis is caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
