NASHVILLE – Since Thanksgiving, the Tennessee Department of Health has resumed efforts to contact patients who received tainted steroid injections, believing some were at risk for new or additional infections at or near the injection site. That has, indeed, been the case as a total of 23 people have been identified as having new, localized infections. Altogether 107 persons in Tennessee have confirmed illnesses of some type associated with injections of contaminated methylprednisolone acetate from New England Compounding Center. No infections from other contaminated NECC products have been identified in Tennessee to date.

Seasonal Flu Cases Now Widespread in Tennessee

NASHVILLE – Flu season has officially arrived in Tennessee, with cases of seasonal influenza now categorized as widespread in our state. But it’s not too late to vaccinate! The Department of Health urges all Tennesseans who have not yet received a flu vaccine to get one now to help protect vulnerable people around them, their families and themselves from the flu virus.

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Department of Health Office of Health Care Facilities is providing special training for every certified nursing home in Tennessee. TDH has received grant approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expend more than $370,000 in federal civil monetary penalty funds collected from deficient nursing homes, and will use these funds to provide the training. This is the largest single CMP grant application approved by CMS Region 4 to date this year.

NASHVILLE – Weighing in at just over four pounds, one of the newest residents of Tennessee isn’t just premature, he’s dependent on addictive drugs. Within a few hours of the delivery, hospital staff members knew by his seizures, high-pitched cries, tremors, fever and vomiting this innocent baby was another tragic case of neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition caused when an unborn child is exposed to powerful drugs used legally or illegally by a mother during pregnancy.

World Aids Day is December 1, 2012

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is collaborating with community partners across the state to promote the importance of HIV prevention and treatment through planned activities for World AIDS Day December 1, 2012. This year’s theme is “Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation.”

NASHVILLE – As of  3 p.m. Central time Nov. 21, 2012, the Tennessee Department of Health is aware of 84 patients with meningitis, epidural abscess or posterior stroke associated with epidural steroid injections or steroid injections in a major joint using products from New England Compounding Center. Of those cases, 13 have resulted in death of the patients.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health is continuing to provide information and assistance to patients affected by contaminated methylprednisolone acetate, including new outreach efforts to some who may develop localized infections.

Practice Safe Food Handling when Cooking and Dining

NASHVILLE – At this time of year special foods and favorite family recipes often hold a place of honor at holiday celebrations. In addition to enjoying these foods in moderation, be careful to safeguard your family’s food memories from an unpleasant or serious bout with food-borne illness. The Tennessee Department of Health urges all Tennesseans to practice safe food handling by taking precautions while preparing, packing, transporting and storing food to keep meals safe and healthy.

NASHVILLE – As of  11 a.m. Central time Nov. 16, 2012, the Tennessee Department of Health is aware of 82 patients with meningitis, epidural abscess or posterior stroke associated with epidural steroid injections or steroid injections in a major joint using products from New England Compounding Center. Of those cases, 13 have resulted in death of the patients.

NASHVILLE – As of  12 p.m. Central time Nov. 9, 2012, the Tennessee Department of Health is aware of 81 patients with meningitis, epidural abscess or posterior stroke associated with epidural steroid injections or steroid injections in a major joint using products from New England Compounding Center. Of those cases, 13 have resulted in death of the patients.