12. Meningitis Outbreak Kills Seven, Continues Spreading To Ninth State

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2012/10/06/fungal_meningitis_death_toll_at_seven_continues_spreading_to_ninth_state.html

On Saturday, October 6th, Daniel Politi wrote an article about a recent disease outbreak. He started his article with an alarming and eye catching statement from the Centers for Disease Control, saying that seven out of sixty people infected with a disease died this past Saturday. This rare fungal meningitis, has affected many people in nine different states. Quoting from the Associated Press, the author did not forget to mention where the meningitis is most likely to come from (steroid injections). The second paragraph informs that it is unclear how the fungus got into the steroid, but that "76 facilities across 23 states received vials of the steroids that have been linked to the outbreak." The following paragraph talks about the fear and anxiety of those who received steroid injections. However, officials assured that that it is not something to worry about since fungus cannot be transmitted and unless one starts to experience specific symptoms. The article concludes with a sentence stating the different states that "reported cases of people getting sick after receiving the injections."

The author's main purpose in writing this article is to inform the general public, especially those living in the states where there were reported cases, about the recent fungal meningitis, and how it affected the people. Not only does Politi inform, but also brings awareness to the people, in particular those who received steroid injections. The author gives credibility to the article by using information from outside sources such as the Centers for Disease Control, the Associated Press, Reuters, and health officials.