Follow us on

Listen live to Atlanta's breaking news, severe weather, & traffic online

recent on-air advertisers

Now Playing

News/Talk WSB
Listen live to ...

Posted: 3:49 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, 2012

Recalls expand as number of meningitis cases rises

  • comment(2)

By Andrew Spencer and Veronica Waters

The number of people sickened by a deadly meningitis outbreak has now reached 105 cases.

The death toll is now eight, rising one since the previous update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Officials have tied the fungal meningitis outbreak to steroid shots for back pain. The steroid was made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts. The steroid was sent to clinics in 23 states, including a facility in Macon, Georgia.

The Massachusetts company linked to the outbreak is now voluntarily recalling everything it makes -- even mouthwash -- as a precaution. The announcement comes after the government, last week, urged doctors not to use any of the company's products.

The list of nine states with reported cases stayed the same: Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Ohio.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

  • comment(2)