By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    An Expert’s Guide To Building and Improving Endurance
    June 30, 2022
    medical assistants
    What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
    April 5, 2022
    superfoods to help with prostate health
    10 Healthy Foods That Can Help Protect Your Prostate
    August 29, 2022
    Latest News
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare cost crisis
    What If the Health Care Cost Crisis Solves Itself?
    May 11, 2013
    Do You Need Life Insurance? What Does It Cover?
    December 23, 2022
    HIE metal plans
    The Four “Metal Plans” of Health Insurance Exchanges
    May 28, 2013
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Michigan’s Fungal Meningitis Outbreak to Be Investigated by State and Federal Authorities
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Michigan’s Fungal Meningitis Outbreak to Be Investigated by State and Federal Authorities
NewsPublic HealthSpecialties

Michigan’s Fungal Meningitis Outbreak to Be Investigated by State and Federal Authorities

Susan Scutti
Susan Scutti
Share
4 Min Read
fungal meningitis outbreak
SHARE

fungal meningitis outbreakA criminal investigation into last year’s deadly fungal meningitis outbreak may someday secure justice for victims.

fungal meningitis outbreakA criminal investigation into last year’s deadly fungal meningitis outbreak may someday secure justice for victims. According to Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, his office and federal authorities are continuing to coordinate a probe into the outbreak that killed 64 people nationwide as a result of contaminated injectable steroid medications distributed by New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, Mass. No one has yet been charged in the case.

Asked whether the Michigan leg of the investigation may end without charges, Schuette declined to answer, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, Michigan — which counted 22 deaths due to the outbreak — has decided to let its grand jury take a “temporary pause,” Schuette announced in Detroit on Monday. The grand jury’s six-month term is set to expire soon, though a judge could call it back. At least four clinics in the state treated patients with tainted steroids obtained from NECC. In the absence of indictments, Schuette spoke of an agreement struck with the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, Carmen Ortiz, that ensures state investigators have access to evidence that a federal grand jury in Boston is seeing, and vice versa. “This will help us reach our mutual goal: to secure justice for victims of fungal meningitis,” Schuette told CNN. “By working together we can ensure our investigative efforts are not duplicated.”

NECC filed for bankruptcy in December last year. The Massachusetts state pharmacy board voted to permanently revoke the company’s license as well as the licenses of the company’s three principal pharmacists.

The 2012 Outbreak

Since Sept. 2012, when the tainted steroids were first discovered, 751 people in 20 states, including 264 in Michigan, developed fungal meningitis or other infections. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (known as meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Sixty-four people died in last year’s outbreak after using contaminated drugs produced by NECC, a compounding pharmacy that custom-makes medications.

On Sept. 26, 2012, NECC voluntarily recalled three lots of methylprednisolone acetate, an injectable steroid that is typically used for its anti-inflammatory effects, and in this case, causing fungal meningitis and other infections. As confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the fungus Exserohilum rostratum was identified in two different lots of  NECC-supplied methylprednisolone acetate, while two other types of fungus not known to be human pathogens, Rhodotorula laryngis and Rhizopus stolonifer, were also found in the product. On Oct. 6, NECC expanded its recall to include all products in circulation that were distributed from its Framingham facility.

Public health authorities estimate that nearly 14,000 people in 23 states, including an estimated 11,000 who received shots for back or neck pain, were exposed to mold-tainted doses of methylprednisolone. Recently, the FBI asked anyone who received one of the tainted injections to fill out a questionnaire and answer whether they believe another medication distributed by NECC caused harm to themselves or their family. Last week, the U.S. Senate approved legislation clarifying federal authority over compounding pharmacies such as NECC — the bill awaits presidential approval, according to The New York Times. 

(shutterstock)

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

technology in medical research
The Tools Helping Medical Researchers See the Full Picture
News Technology
August 3, 2025
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
Health
July 31, 2025
holistic dental
Holistic Dentist Services Are Natural and Safe
Dental health Specialties
July 28, 2025
botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025

You Might also Like

mugshot for medical lawsuit
News

How to Obtain Mugshots Online for a Medical Liability Lawsuit

September 16, 2021
Medicaid Financial Strain
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & LawPublic Health

Medicaid for All?

November 19, 2014
Policy & LawPublic HealthSpecialtiesWellness

Can CBD Oil Treat Anxiety? Facts, Research and Precautions

February 5, 2019
veneers
Dental healthSpecialties

Smile Renewal: The Role of Veneers in Cosmetic Dentistry

December 28, 2023
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?