Montgomery-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are working closely with state health departments in an ongoing investigation of a multi-state meningitis outbreak. The Alabama Department of Public Health is in contact with the CDC and has been informed that Alabama is not one of the 23 states currently identified as part of this investigation.

Dr. Mary McIntyre, acting state epidemiologist for ADPH, stated, “We have been in close contact with the CDC and have been advised that facilities and providers in Alabama do not appear to have received any of the recalled product. A list of 23 states has been provided by the CDC and a voluntary recall has been initiated by the company in collaboration with the FDA and CDC.”  

The investigation indicates that contaminated product from the New England Compounding Center in Farmingham, Mass., was not distributed to health care facilities in Alabama. However, Alabama borders three states (Tennessee, Georgia and Florida), which received medication shipped by the Massachusetts pharmacy. Therefore, Alabama residents who received treatment out of state consisting of injections with methylprednisolone acetate (a steroid) should contact the facilities and their physicians to determine whether they received injections with one of the recalled products

Symptoms include fever, headache (new symptoms or worsening), onset of stiff neck or sensitivity to light, or symptoms suggestive of a stroke such as slurred speech, difficulty walking, or increased dizziness or falls. Patients should also seek care if they have worsening pain, redness or swelling at their injection site.

This type of meningitis is not transmitted from person to person. At this time, the CDC is only aware of infections occurring in patients who have received epidural steroid injections with product from the recalled lots. The ADPH Epidemiology Division will continue to closely monitor this outbreak and will provide updates if any information is received that indicates that there is an Alabama connection.

NEWS RELEASE-ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH