More Meningitis Cases Will Develop, Says TN Health Commissioner

Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner said more meningitis cases stemming from the steroid made at New England Compounding Center in Framingham are on their way, according to the Associated Press.

The outbreak has already made more than 20 people sick in five states and killed four.

The steroid, used for back pain as an injection, has been recalled and production of it has stopped, according to the AP. The form of meningitis in the steroid is not a contagious strain; rather it is similar to that found in mold on leaves.

Dreyzehner told the AP the past 24 hours has seen five new cases and he said the situation is a "rapidly evolving outbreak."

Of the sick patients, Tennessee Dr. David Reagan told the AP, "Some are doing well and improving. Some are very ill—very, very seriously ill and may die.".