U.S. To Set Up $40M Fund For Victims Of Deadliest Meningitis Outbreak In U.S. History
Investigators traced the outbreak back to a batch of contaminated steroid injections, and later charged 14 people in a 131-count indictment, alleging employees at the center knew they were producing medication in an unsafe and unsanitary way. Compensating the victims has proven difficult, though.
The Washington Post:
Justice Department To Make $40 Million Available For Victims Of Deadly Meningitis Outbreak
The Justice Department plans to make as much as $40 million available for victims of a 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak that federal investigators traced to a batch of contaminated steroid injections after a dispute over whether those affected by the outbreak qualified for such financial assistance was finally resolved, officials said. While some of the details still need to be worked out, the Office for Victims of Crime has decided to make the money available from its Crime Victims Fund, which is financed by fines and penalties paid by those convicted of crimes, the officials said. (Zapotosky, 7/7)
In other news, public health officials are concerned about an outbreak of meningitis currently sweeping through Los Angeles —
Los Angeles Times:
Meningitis Outbreak In L.A. Gay Community Prompts Plea For Vaccinations
Los Angeles County public health officials and LGBT advocates are urging gay and bisexual men to get meningitis vaccinations, citing a recent outbreak of potentially deadly meningococcal disease that is disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men. There have been 17 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease confirmed in the county so far this year, including 12 in the last two months, Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, the interim director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health, said Thursday. Eight have been among gay or bisexual men, including seven within the last two months, he said. (Branson-Potts, 7/7)