Health | meningitis Death Toll in Meningitis Outbreak Hits 15 CDC confirms 197 cases so far, 13 states affected By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Oct 13, 2012 5:22 PM CDT Copied A lab technician packages cerebrospinal fluid of the three confirmed meningitis cases in Minn. to send to the CDC for further testing, at the Minnesota Department of Health on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien) Deaths in the outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to steroid shots for back pain, which have been recalled, are up to 15. Latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Illnesses: 197 Deaths: 15 States: 13; Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia Read These Next Surgical staff squares off with ICE agents. It's Splitsville for a high-profile Texas GOP couple. He's an American hero—and an undocumented immigrant. 'Bad batch' of drugs causes mass OD in Baltimore. Report an error