Meningitis outbreak claims 9th Michigan life

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Officials say an 88-year-old Ingham County woman is the ninth Michigan resident to die in a national meningitis outbreak.

The woman was added to the meningitis update Wednesday by the state Department of Community Health. No other details about her were released.

There have been 64 Michigan cases of meningitis, including the nine deaths. In addition, there have been 54 epidural abscesses, one stroke and six joint infections.

Fungal meningitis has been linked to contaminated steroids produced by a Massachusetts pharmacy and shipped to four Michigan clinics. Patients who became ill had received injections for neck or back pain.

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Online:

Michigan Department of Community Health meningitis link: http://1.usa.gov/Wom9rn
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meningitis outbreak map: http://1.usa.gov/Qsw1eU