Two Hospitalized for Meningitis Tests

The number of individuals infected with meningitis in a rare nationwide outbreak has grown to 67, according to national health officials, and seven people have died.

Medical practices in Mount Pleasant and North Charleston were among 75 practives in 23 states to receive shipments of potentially tainted steroid injections meant to ease back pain.

Two patients from the local interveneMD practice were hospitalized for testing, according to a statement but they were apparently cleared.

"It is a relief that none our our patients are showing any signs or symptoms of meningitis," the statement reads. "Two — at our urging — have gone to the emergency room for further examination. Tests determined that they do not have meningitis."

The source of the tainted injections appears to be New England Compounding Center, a Massachusetts-based specialty pharmacy.

This fungal form of meningitis is not contageous, but it can take up to a month for symptoms to appear. Patients are being asked to immediately seek medical treatment if they experience headache, fever, dizziness, nausea or slurred speech.

Anyone administered a steroid injection to the back for pain relief between July and Sept. 21 at interveneMD, should contact the clinic, though the medical practice has reached most of the 189 impacted persons.