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Fungus Behind Meningitis Outbreak Found In Vials From Framingham Pharmacy

BOSTON (AP/CBS) — Health officials have confirmed that a fungus behind a meningitis outbreak has also been found in unopened vials of steroid medication.

The Food and Drug Administration said the fungus was in one lot of vials made in August by the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass.

The specialty pharmacy has been at the center of a national investigation into more than 250 fungal meningitis cases, including at least 20 deaths. Eight cases have been reported in New Hampshire.

Health officials said this week that 40 of 42 patients were infected with a fungus called Exserohilum rostratum.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

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