Meningitis outbreak toll: 119 cases, 11 deaths

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Pharmacy tied to meningitis outbreak
The New England Compounding Center is shown here on Oct. 5, 2012, in Framingham, Mass. The pharmacy is being investigated for producing a contaminated steroid shot that included the meningitis fungus that has killed at least five people.
Getty Images/Jared Wickerham

By MIKE STOBBE
AP Medical Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of people sickened by a deadly meningitis outbreak has now reached 119 cases, including 11 deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the count on Tuesday.

New Jersey is the 10th state to report at least one illness.

Officials have tied the outbreak of rare fungal meningitis to steroid shots for back pain. The steroid was made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts. At least one contaminated vial was found at the company.

The company recalled the steroid that was sent to clinics in 23 states, and later recalled everything it makes.

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