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More Fungal Meningitis Cases Reported in Tennessee

The number of fungal meningitis cases in Tennessee is rising again. Four more infections related to a tainted batch of spinal steroids have been reported in the Volunteer State. The number of known fungal meningitis cases in Tennessee now stands at 88 according to data compiled by the state Health Department.

The Tennessean reports the number of Volunteer State deaths related to the infected steroid shots has held at 13. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says nationwide the number of fungal meningitis cases has jumped from 510 last week to 541, with 36 deaths reported in the U.S.

Also this week, the CDC said it discovered microbial contamination in three more medicines distributed by New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass., the pharmacy implicated in the outbreak.

All New England Compounding Center medicines have been recalled.

Federal authorities believe the fungal meningitis outbreak was caused by contaminated shots given to patients with severe neck and back pain.

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