TERRE HAUTE —
All local patients involved in the national outbreak of fungal meningitis tied to a steroid used for back pain have been identified and a contact process is under way, hospital officials said Friday.
Dr. John Bolinger, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Union Hospital, said two of the involved patients had already arrived at the facility’s emergency department for examination, but no diagnosis of fungal meningitis had been issued.
Bolinger said the hospital will “work with patients” regarding bills associated with the incident.
Meanwhile, concern throughout the community was the main topic addressed at a news conference, as Bolinger and others said 90 patients received the drug associated with a recent outbreak of fungal meningitis.
Those 90 patients, all of whom have been identified, would have received by injection preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) prepared by the New England Compounding Center, of Framingham, Mass. Union Hospital was one of six sites in Indiana to have received those products earlier in July. Other facilities include the Ambulatory Care Center, LLP in Evansville, the Ft. Wayne Physical Medicine, the OSMC Outpatient Surgery Center in Elkhart, the South Bend Clinic and Wellspring in Columbus.
Bolinger said the injectable steroid typically given for back pain was administered at the Wabash Valley Surgery Center between the dates of July 15 and Sept. 26.
The New England Compounding Center issued a voluntary recall on Sept. 26, at which point Union Hospital immediately pulled its supply, he said, adding anyone receiving the drug before or after those dates would not have been affected. Individuals taking oral medications would likewise not be included in the group.
Bolinger said 85 of the patients have been spoken with personally over the phone and the remaining five were left voicemails. Follow-up contact attempts are ongoing, he said.
Fungal meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include severe and worsening headache, nausea, dizziness and fever. Some patients also experience slurred speech, and difficulty walking and urinating. The time from infection to onset of symptoms is estimated at anywhere from a few days to a month, so some people may not have fallen ill yet.
The condition is not contagious, he said, emphasizing the importance of the public remaining calm.
Meanwhile, government officials are urging hospitals to avoid all products distributed by the New England Compounding Center. More information about fungal meningitis is available online at www.cdc.gov/meningitis/fungal.html.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
News
Related Photos
-
In the spotlight: Union Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. John A. Bolinger speaks during Friday's news conference concerning the tainted medicine recall. (Tribune-Star/Bob Poynter)
Discussion
Hospital contacting patients tied to med scare
- News
-
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
-
Police investigating rash of car window shootings
Terre Haute Police are investigating a rash of shootings that have shattered car windows throughout the city.
-
City hospitals get passing grades for patient safety
Two Terre Haute hospitals have been ranked for patient safety by an independent organization that assesses safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans.
-
Three from Operation Turn and Burn sentenced in federal court
Three co-conspirators in a Wabash Valley methamphetamine trafficking ring were sentenced this week to several years in federal prison.
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
-
Elementary school saddened by student’s death
A 9-year-old Dixie Bee Elementary student died unexpectedly Wednesday evening as the result of pneumonia, said Vigo County Coroner Susan Amos on Thursday.
-
Vermillion CSX crossings undergoing maintenance
CSX maintenance crews are working on railroad crossings between Dana and Chrisman, Ill. this week and next, a CSX official said Thursday.
-
Beware of scams everywhere
Ever get a phone call in the middle of the night from a person claiming to be your grandchild, who unfortunately has been jailed in Canada and needs bail money?
-
INDOT to start work on Indiana 163 in Vermillion County
Maintenance crews will begin a pavement preservation project Monday on Indiana 163, between Indiana 63 and the Illinois state line west of Clinton.
-
Union Hospital community garden spots now available
Community gardening spots are now available at the Union Hospital Community Garden for Wabash Valley residents interested in planting and maintaining a garden but may not have the space. The garden is located west of the intersection of North Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue in Terre Haute at 1430 N. Sixth St.
-
Correctional officer remembered at memorial
Greene County native and Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Officer Timothy Betts was honored during a memorial ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
-
Money donated for Dresser sculpture
100+ Women Who Care of Vigo County on Thursday awarded a $20,200 grant to Art Spaces that will help make the Paul Dresser sculpture, “A Song for Indiana,” a reality.
-
Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million
The Powerball jackpot jumped to $550 million on Thursday — the third largest lottery in history — as dreamers in all but the seven states where the game isn’t played snatched up tickets for the minuscule chance at a life on easy street.
-
About 200 channel catfish find new home in Dobbs Park pond
About 200 channel catfish transferred into a new home at the Dobbs Park pond on Wednesday, but it’s unclear how long they’ll remain there. That depends upon the people fishing.
-
GED grads turn the tassels
Michelle McClendon’s first child was born when she was 15.
She tried to stay in school, but it was just too much, so she dropped out to take care of her daughter. -
MARK BENNETT: Local summer music series idea remains a good one
One-of-a-kind ideas happen rarely.
As the biblical adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. We humans succeed occasionally, inventing electricity, automobiles, telephones and the Internet. Invariably, though, someone else insists, “Hey, my grandpa thought of that years before Edison.” -
State to spend $2M to clean up voter rolls
Indiana’s bloated voter registration rolls, which officials say make elections more susceptible to fraud, will soon come under more scrutiny by the state.
-
Community tips lead to arrest on methamphetamine charges
Acting on community tips and other information, Indiana State Police troopers from the Putnamville District Meth Lab Enforcement Team were led to a rural Vigo County residence where they arrested the homeowner on meth-related charges and a female companion on a Clay County warrant for driving while suspended.
-
Historic National Road Yard Sale begins May 29
Bargains galore are expected along a 824-mile stretch of U.S. 40 as the annual The Historic National Road Yard Sale begins May 29 and continues through June 2
-
Woman arrested after selling relatives truck without permission
A Terre Haute woman faces a charge of auto theft after being arrested for selling a relative’s vehicle without permission.
-
Redevelopment Commission hears TIF districts in good shape
Terre Haute’s special economic development taxing districts, known as TIF districts, are in good financial shape, according to a report given Wednesday to the city’s five-member Redevelopment Commission.
-
Tribune-Star staff wins awards from IAPME
The Tribune-Star was well represented once again at the annual Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards in Indianapolis Saturday.
-
Indiana’s 2013 Click It or Ticket effort begins Friday
As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, the Vigo County Traffic Safety Partnership is urging everyone to buckle up as Indiana’s 2013 Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement effort begins Friday.
-
Giving back to the community: Day of Energy
Flowers and fresh paint. A new platform for handicapped seating. Spotlight replacement. And even a new utility pole and electrical service. About 10 different projects made positive improvements at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds on Thursday through a volunteer work day called “Duke Energy in Action.”
- More News Headlines
-
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Raw: Pope Frees Doves From Cage
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
