TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey health officials have linked four more fungal meningitis cases to a nationwide outbreak caused by a potentially tainted medication. (see related story)

The new cases announced Saturday bring the total in the state to eight.

Among the four new cases, two are women from Salem County. One is a 37-year-old who received a steroid injection Sept. 20, while the other is a 33-year-old who got her injection July 25.

The two other new patients are a 77-year-old Atlantic County woman who received a steroid injection Aug. 22, and a 64-year-old Cumberland County man who got his injection Sept. 6.

The patients in the four other cases are all Cumberland County residents. Overall, seven of the patients remained hospitalized Saturday, while the other person was being treated as an outpatient.

Health officials say more than 600 patients in New Jersey received the steroid injection at six facilities in southern New Jersey between May 21 and September 26, and nearly all of them have been notified that they may be at risk for contracting meningitis.

Nationwide, the drug sold by a Massachusetts-based pharmacy has been linked to 15 deaths and nearly 200 illnesses.

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