Death toll rises to 23 in fungal meningitis outbreak

RALEIGH, N.C. – Health officials say one of two North Carolina victims of the fungal meningitis outbreak has died, raising the nationwide death toll to 23.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesman Curtis Allen confirmed the death Saturday. Allen couldn't identify the victim, or where the death occurred, He referred additional questions to state health officials, who weren't available for comment Saturday night.

Fungal meningitis -- which is not contagious -- is a tenacious disease that can be treated only with powerful drugs. Those who survive the illness will continue antifungal drugs for weeks or months.

Across the nation, 284 people are victims of an outbreak that began when a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy shipped contaminated medication.