Five steroid vials seized from Clark County

Federal officials confiscated from Clark County five vials of the steroid linked to a national meningitis outbreak, a health official said Thursday.

All of the vials were identified and picked up by the Food and Drug Administration, said Stephanie Bethel, spokeswoman for the Southern Nevada Health District.

The vials were bought by a clinic in July, and none of them had been used, said Mary Woods, spokeswoman for the Nevada Division of Health.

Federal investigators this week found fungal contamination in a sealed vial of the steroid at the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass., FDA officials said.

Tests are under way to determine whether it is the same fungus blamed in the outbreak that has sickened 35 people in six states. Five of them have died. All received steroid shots for back pain.

The type of fungal meningitis involved is not contagious like the more common forms. It is caused by a fungus often found in leaf mold. Health officials suspect it may have been in the steroid.

The company recalled the steroid medication last week and has shut down operations. The recalled steroid had been shipped to facilities in 23 states, including Nevada, since July.

BRIAN HAYNES/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL