A national outbreak of fungal meningitis that baffled doctors and patients alike hit Michigan residents the hardest, according to media reports.
A family member holds a photo of Lilian Cary, 67, of Howell, one of the first Michigan residents to die in the fungal meningitis outbreak at the end of September.
Out of the 51 people that have died to date in the outbreak, 17 of them were from Michigan. The state has the largest concentration of fungal meningitis patients: 259 Michiganders have come down with fungal meningitis to date out of 730 cases reported nationwide.
The outbreak is connected to batches of injectable steroids manufactured by the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts.
Investigations, lawsuits and fear have spawned from the outbreak, according to a report by the Detroit Free Press. Lawmakers and federal and state officials are working to make sure the event will not happen again, according to the report.
Read the reports by the Detroit Free Press:
- Part I: National fungal meningitis outbreak hits Michigan the hardest; 259 infected, 14 killed
- Part II: Meningitis outbreak sparks investigations, lawsuits, fears
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.