2 dead, 20 cases in meningitis outbreak

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Officials say there are more than 20 confirmed cases of meningitis in Michigan, including two deaths.

Lilian Cary, 67, of Howell died in September, weeks after being treated with contaminated steroids for back pain. The other death involved a 56-year-old woman.

The pharmacy that distributed a steroid linked to an outbreak of fungal meningitis has issued a voluntary recall of all of its products.

The New England Compounding Center announced the recall on Saturday. The company said in a news release that the move was taken out of an abundance of caution because of the risk of contamination. It says there is no indication that any other products have been contaminated.

The Food and Drug Administration had previously told health professionals not to use any products distributed by the center.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 90 cases nationally.

At least four places in Michigan received shipments of the medication:

* Michigan Neurosurgical Institute in Grand Blanc

* Michigan Pain Specialists in Brighton

* Neuromuscular & Rehabilitation in Traverse City

* Southeast Michigan Surgical Hospital in Warren