BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Vermont health leaders say they are monitoring a deadly meningitis outbreak which continues to spread across now ten states.
The CDC says 12 people have died and 125 people have become sick from a rare fungal meningitis tied to steroid shots for back pain.
Vermont's health department says no one in Vermont has become sick and the contaminated products were never sent to the state. But other products, made by the same company, were sent to Vermont and have been taken out of use.
"At this time we're not seeing any infections related to other products but to remain vigilant because certainly if there is anything that has been missed we would want to know about it early on," says Susan Schoenfeld, Vermont State Deputy Epidemiologist.
The health department says this form of meningitis is not contagious.
The department offers this advice:
Anyone who has had steroid medication injected into the spine since May 21, 2012 and has any of the following symptoms should contact their health care provider as soon as possible.
· Worsening headache
· Fever
· Sensitivity to light
· Stiff neck
· New weakness or numbness in any part of your body
· Slurred speech
The epidural medication associated with the outbreak is not the same as spinal injections given to pregnant women during childbirth.
