Ten cases of meningitis confirmed in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WALA) - Florida now has ten confirmed cases of fungal meningitis, including one in Escambia County.

The Florida Department of Health confirmed Saturday that Escambia County has its case of fungal meningitis associated with contaminated steroid injections from the New England Compounding Center.

A 47-year-old man who received treatment from Pain Consultants of West Florida in Pensacola was injected with one of the tainted shots.

Officials say the infected medication may have been used at the location in spinal and joint injections numerous times between July 8 and September 28 of this year.

Dr. John Lanza with the Escambia County Health Department said they’re working to contact more than 600 people who received those injections.

“As far as symptoms of fungal meningitis goes, we’re looking at fever, very severe headaches, stiff neck, back pain and sometimes nausea and vomiting," said Lanza, “We’re working with law enforcement to find those individuals we haven’t been able to find because it is such a significant illness. They have to know they’re at risk."

Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong said although the fungal meningitis is not contagious, they do anticipate more patients will be affected as the investigation continues.

"We continue to urge those who may have received steroid injections from any of the six facilities in the state to consult a health care professional," said Dr. Armstrong.

The six facilities are:

• Florida Pain Clinic, Ocala, FL
• Marion Pain Management Center, Ocala, FL
• Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery, Orlando, FL
• Pain Consultants of West Florida, Pensacola, FL
• Surgery Center of Ocala, Ocala, FL
• Surgical Park Center, Miami, FL

Health officials said the number of cases nationwide have sickened at least 185 people, including 14 deaths across 12 states, including two deaths in Florida. The outbreak has prompted calls for tighter federal regulation of compounding pharmacies.

If you believe that you have had injections in Escambia County between July 8 and September 28 and are having symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.