Andover woman claims she contracted meningitis at Mass. clinic

LAWRENCE (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – Health officials in Massachusetts continue to investigate the first possible case of fungal meningitis in the state.

A 71-year-old woman from Andover says she contracted the illness after receiving a steroid shot at a Lawrence clinic.

The Department of Public Health is stressing that this case is not confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC does not believe that any of the tainted lots from the New England Compounding Center in Framingham were sent to centers in Massachusetts.

Meantime, Attorney General Martha Coakley is pushing for legislation that would update the state's corporate manslaughter law.

Coakley says the investigation into Framingham-based NECC helps illustrate the need to update the 200-year-old law.

Under the current law, the top penalty for corporate manslaughter is $1,000.

Coakley wants the fine increased to $250,000.

Nationwide 32 people have died from the meningitis outbreak.

RELATED: Mass. health officials investigating patient exhibiting symptoms of meningitis

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