During last year's fungal meningitis outbreak, USA Today reported that epidural steroid patients were developing symptoms within 42 days of receiving a contaminated injection. A doctor with the CDC confirmed that a patient's risk declined as days passed. In a conference call this week, however, that same doctor had to advise medical professionals across the country to remain vigilant for symptoms.
"We are seeing some patients with very long incubation periods," said Dr. Tom Chiller, associate director for epidemiological science in the CDC’s division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases. "We expect to see people getting infections months after their injections."
Each week, two to three new cases are reported, according to NBC News. That's bad news for NECC, the compounding pharmacy behind the tainted methylprednisolone shots. Since September 2012, more than 700 people have developed fungal meningitis infections and 48 people have died. The now-defunct company faces hundreds of lawsuits and the potential for more.
"An estimated 11,000 [people] actually received shots for back or neck pain," the CDC stated.
This means that although the problem seems to be well understood, more new cases of meningitis resulting from last year's outbreak may still be diagnosed as we go forward. Just like the medical professionals, YOU should also remain vigilint for any symptoms, and see your doctor if you believe you are suffering from those symptoms.
About the Editors: The Shapiro Lewis Appleton & Favaloro personal injury law firm, whose attorneys work out of offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, Eastern Shore Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono service.
Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
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