US meningitis cases climb to 205 as outbreak worsens

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Fungal meningitis tied to a contaminated steroid has affected 205 people in a worsening outbreak of the infection that has killed 15 people in the United States, officials said Sunday.

Fourteen states have been affected by the outbreak, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said. On Saturday, it had reported 198 cases nationwide.

The situation is particularly bad in Tennessee, where 53 cases including six deaths have been reported. Michigan follows, with 41 cases and Virginia with 34 cases.

Other states reporting cases include Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.