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No recalled steroid injections given at RMC
Injections recalled after fungal meningitis outbreak
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Patients who have questions about the meningitis outbreak can call special Rockdale Medical Center hotline at 678-413-7000. 

For more on the CDC’s ongoing investigation, go to http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html

The pharmacy that distributed a steroid linked to an outbreak of fungal meningitis has issued a voluntary recall of all of its products, calling the move a precautionary measure.

Rockdale Medical Center confirmed no patients have received the epidural steroid medications made by the pharmacy in question, according to a released statement by the hospital.

The New England Compounding Center announced the recall Saturday. The company said in a news release that the move was taken out of an abundance of caution because of the risk of contamination. It says there is no indication that any other products have been contaminated.

The Food and Drug Administration had previously told health professionals not to use any products distributed by the center.

"Rockdale Medical Center places the utmost priority on patient safety," said RMC CEO Deborah Armstrong. "We have not used products from this facility and do not use any products unless they have been produced in accordance with FDA regulations.  We know that patients are concerned and encourage them to contact us if they have any questions."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted updated figures to its website Sunday showing there are 91 confirmed cases of the rare form of fungal meningitis. The outbreak spans nine states and has killed at least seven people.

Thousands of vials of a contaminated steroid, methylprednisolone acetate, were shipped to 23 states, including Georgia, according to the CDC.

The states with reported cases are: Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

The steroid linked to the outbreak had already been recalled, and health officials have been scrambling to notify anyone who may have received an injection of it. The Massachusetts pharmacy that made it has said it is cooperating with investigators.

It is not yet known exactly how many people may have been affected, though it could affect hundreds or even thousands of people who received the steroid injections for back pain from July to September.

Meningitis is caused by the inflammation of protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Fungal meningitis is not contagious as are its more common viral and bacterial counterparts.

Rockdale Medical Center patients who have questions about the meningitis outbreak can call special hotline at 678-413-7000. 

For more on the CDC’s ongoing investigation, go to http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html

 

 

The Associated Press contributed to this article.