Commonwealth meningitis cases up to 23

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The number of meningitis cases connected to a New England pharmacy is growing and is up to 23 in the Commonwealth.

Monday afternoon, the Centers for Disease Control reported 105 cases nationwide and eight deaths, one of which was in Virginia.

All of the cases in the Commonwealth are connected to two clinics in the southwest part of the state and officials expect it will stay that way, despite the large number at risk.

Officials say 13,000 people nationwide have received steroid injections contaminated with a fungus called Aspergillos, a common mold.

Thomas Lynch with the Eastern Virginia Medical School told WAVY.com people are exposed to the fungus all the time without problems.

"Our immune systems just take care of that. What's happened here is it's been injected into the central nervous system where the immune system can't work very well and that's what's made this so unusual," Lynch said.

The fungus can lurk silently in the body for up to a month before symptoms appear. Dr. Lynch said the rare form of meningitis is not contagious but it is one of the most difficult bacteria to fight.

The Virginia Department of Health told WAVY.com the more than 600 patients from two Virginia clinics who received injections have been notified and are being followed closely by doctors.

However, this is fairly new territory and State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Ramley said they still don't know how it will play out.

"It is very rare. I can only think of two cases in my entire career," Ramley said.

Signs of fungal meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck and problems speaking and walking.