Virginia Department of Health

Investigation of Meningitis and Stroke after Spinal Injections

Virginia Department of Health is working with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and other states on a multi-state investigation of meningitis and strokes in patients who received spinal injections. As of October 16, 2012, VDH is reporting 35 cases (32 Virginia residents and 3 West Virginia residents) with a clinical presentation consistent with fungal infection, which includes 2 fatal cases. Additional suspect cases are being investigated and the number of cases in Virginia will be updated daily. For information on national cases, please visit the CDC, http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html.

All infected patients received preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate among three lots which have been voluntarily recalled by the New England Compounding Center, in Framingham, Massachusetts. VDH is working closely with Insight Imaging in Roanoke and New River Valley Surgery Center in Christiansburg to assist the 693 patients who received this medication via injection between June 28, 2012 and September 26, 2012. The manufacturer has recalled the implicated lots of the medication and the product is no longer being used.

Patients who had spinal injection procedures at these two facilities are being asked if they developed any new symptoms since their spinal injection. Patients are being advised to seek immediate evaluation and let a physician know about this investigation and the concern for possible infection. Symptoms of concern are new or worsening headache, fever, localized weakness, falls, difficulty walking, slurred speech or other symptoms that may suggest a stroke.

If you have questions or concerns that you may be experiencing illness after receiving a spinal injection, please contact your health care provider.

For more information, contact your local health department or 211.

Information for Clinicians

• Clinician Guidance from the CDC
• FDA Statement on Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Additional Patient Notification Advised (Oct 15, 2012)
• Virginia Clinicians' Letter: Meningitis and Stroke Associated with Potentially Contaminated Product (Oct 12, 2012)
• Virginia Clinicians' Letter: Update on Fungal Meningitis Associated with Potentially Contaminated Product (Oct 7, 2012)
• Virginia Clinicians' Letter: Meningitis and Stroke Associated with Potentially Contaminated Product (Oct 5, 2012)

Additional Information:

• CDC Multistate Meningitis Outbreak
• FDA Statement on Fungal Meningitis Outbreak
• VDH – Frequently Asked Questions About Meningitis Associated with Epidural Spinal Updated: Oct 10, 2012

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), October 14-20, 2012, brings attention the importance of infection prevention by educating healthcare workers, patients, and the community on ways to improve patient safety.

Here are a few steps to help prevent infection:

1. Wash your hands and cover your cough.
2. Ask your healthcare providers to do the same.
3. Speak up if you have any questions about your care.

More information on infection prevention is available on the VDH Healthcare-Associated Infections Program website.

Bullying Prevention

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time when communities can raise awareness of bullying prevention through events, activities, outreach, and education.

More than 160,000 U.S. students stay home from school each day from fear of being bullied.Bullying is unwanted and repetitive, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. It is a growing public health problem that can have a serious and lasting impact on those bullying and those bullied.

It can be hard to know where to start when dealing with a problem such as bullying. That’s especially true if you’re a parent, a friend or a teacher looking for steps to protect kids in your community. Fortunately, there are many resources available that provide simple and safe ways to stop bullying:

• Bullying Prevention in Virginia – Youth Violence and Bullying Prevention

• Virginia Rules – a site that provides information about Virginia laws with particular emphasis on how they apply to teens in their day-to-day-lives

• Virginia Bullying Legislation – a list of laws in the state that address bullying, cyberbullying, hazing

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages. During the month of October, the Virginia Department of Health would like to highlight the importance of regular screenings and early detection. more>>

FDA Expands Caution About SimplyThick

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants parents, caregivers and health care professionals to be aware there of the risks associated with feeding SimplyThick to infants of any age. Since May 2011, the FDA has identified 22 infants who developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition in which tissue in the intestines becomes inflamed and dies.

Additional Information

• FDA Information about Simply Thick.

Governor McDonnell Proclaims October 18 Earthquake ShakeOut Day

Nearly 600,000 Virginians have signed up for the Great SouthEast ShakeOut, the first simultaneous earthquake drill to be held in Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland and Washington, D.C. The event is set for Thursday, Oct. 18, at 10:18 a.m, and to encourage participation, Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed the date Earthquake ShakeOut Day.

“Most of us remember where we were Aug. 23, 2011, when the historic 5.8 magnitude quake rocked Louisa County, and many did not know the correct way to seek safety when the earthquake began,” said Governor McDonnell. “So I am asking all Virginians to take a few minutes to learn about earthquake safety and to participate in the Great SouthEast ShakeOut. We should remember that the best reaction to an earthquake is to Drop, Cover and Hold On.”

The Great SouthEast ShakeOut drill is open to individuals, families, businesses, organizations, government agencies, and schools and colleges. Modeled after similar efforts held throughout the nation, the ShakeOut provides an opportunity to learn and practice the appropriate, safe response to an earthquake. To learn more about the ShakeOut, visit www.vaemergency.gov.