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Meningitis Outbreak has Patients on Edge

90 views · Published 18 October 2012 · 1:50 · Indexed 22 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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By Drew Bollea  Two of four more deaths in the national meningitis outbreak are in Tennessee. That brings the total number of cases to 247 people in 15 states. The infection is linked to steroid shots for back pain from a compound company in Massachusetts.  A Chattanooga man says he's having symptoms that leave him a little nervous.."Its gone killed some people," said Luther Owens, "and that got my attention."Owens is a veteran who's lived in Chattanooga since the 1960's.He now suffers from arthritis in his back and neck."Right in the center of my back and my neck. That's the main thing now," said Owens rubbing his neck, "my neck is causing me problems. Its sore and it stays sore."He went to get steroid injections at a local pain clinic, but after a month the symptoms got worse."Later on I started having headaches," said Owens, "Headaches like I've never had before."He's now awaiting the results of a meningitis test to see if he was given an infected shot."I'm hoping they don't find nothing wrong, that's what I'm hoping," said Owens."While physicians and clinics are scrambling to notify their patients, other professionals are receiving phone calls from people scared for their lives."Some of them are worried," said Jay Kennamer, a Lawyer with the McMahon Law Firm, "some of them are horrified, and now angry."Kennamer thinks the negligence by the compound company is inexcusable."Not only is it frightening, its angering," said Kennamer.Which is why he's taking calls and investigating claims from people like Owens."The only way they will change their practices is if the legal system holds them accountable," said Kennamer.But for now it's sleepless nights for Owens."That's why I'm waiting till Friday and then go out there and they'll have some results on the tests," said Owens.The Tennessee Health Department said Wednesday that 74 health care facilities in the state have received shipments of those medications. If you have any reason to believe you were injected with an infected shot

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