Florida records 18th case of fungal meningitis

3:01 PM, Oct 22, 2012   |    comments
The Exserohilum rostratum fungus is the primary cause of a number of meningitis illnesses afflicting people who got steroid injections for pain. (Photo: CDC via AP)
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida records another case of fungal meningitis.

MORE: Spinal dura may have been pierced in meningitis cases

On Monday the state Department of Health reported an eighteenth person became ill after getting a tainted injection. The patient is a 55-year-old man who received the shot at a pain clinic in Escambia County.

The contaminated drugs have killed three people in Florida and more than 20 nationwide. There are nearly 300 cases in 16 states.

MORE: USA failed to learn from earlier meningitis outbreaks

The FDA has recalled 12 injectable products manufactured at the New England Compounding Center.

The questionable products were used mainly for back injections. Call the state's hotline for more information: 1-866-523-7339.

First Coast News