The number of people diagnosed with a rare form of meningitis in the United States, has risen to 50.

At least five people have already died in the outbreak that has spanned seven US states.

The victims fell ill after receiving steroid injections for chronic back pain.

It is believed the pain medications, produced in less regulated "compound pharmacies", were contaminated by an airborne fungus introduced in the mixing process.

Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett reports from Washington.