Mass. pharmacy linked to outbreak

FRAMINGHAM, MASS. (WPRI)- More than 25 suspected cases of fungal meningitis are under investigation nationwide.

Four people have died and more than two dozen have been sickened.

The rare outbreak has hit five states so far, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Tennessee has seen the most cases with health officials calling it a public health issue there.

So far there have been no reported cases of fungal meningitis in Rhode Island, but the suspected source of the outbreak is not too far away in Massachusetts.

Fungal meningitis cannot pass from person to person and the exact cause of the outbreak is still unknown.

Several products are common in all cases, including a steroid used to treat back pain that was prepared at the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Department of Health says the pharmacy has voluntarily recalled the product and surrendered its license to operate until the investigation is complete.

Eyewitness News reached out to the Rhode Island Department of Health who said they are monitoring the outbreak.