A second kind of fungus is now believed to be the main culprit in a deadly outbreak of meningitis blamed on contaminated injections for back pain. On Tuesday officials confirmed it’s killed two more Tennesseans, and sickened more than a hundred people across ten states. While this kind of meningitis is not contagious, people who got the tainted shots might not show symptoms for up to three months.
Via the Centers for Disease Control
Officials first pinned the fungal meningitis on contamination from a mold called Aspergilus. Now, state health commissioner John Dreyzehner says they’ve identified a second variety.
“Our ongoing investigation indicates Exserohilum is the primary fungal infection affecting patients in Tennessee – a fungus so rare that most physicians never see it in a lifetime of practicing medicine.”
Officials had thought people exposed by the tainted shots were in the clear after a month, with an average time from shot to symptoms around 16 days. Dreyzehner now says one case took 42 days. So to be safe, people who were exposed should watch for signs of meningitis like fever, headache or neck pain up ‘til three months after.
Dreyzehner says the antifungal medicines being used will still work against this second fungus.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM