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A rare type of meningitis has sickened 26 people and left four dead in five states, leaving health officials concerned over the growing numbers of people infected.

The disease is not contagious and is a fungal form of meningitis found in leaf mold.

According to a report released by the Associated Press, all people now infected received steroid injections for back pain, a fairly common procedure, however the drug used was traced to a private pharmacy in Framingham, Massachusetts, which has since recalled the product  and has shut down operations.

Federal officials did not release condition reports or details on all the patients in the five states. Fungal meningitis is treated with high-dose antifungal medications, usually given intravenously in a hospital.

Eighteen of the cases are in Nashville, Tennessee and three cases have been reported in Virginia, two in Maryland, two in Florida and one in North Carolina.

Though not contagious, slow moving recall and acting clinicians could result in more people injected with the steroid before word becomes wide spread that this particular drug is in fact dangerous.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include severe and worsening headache, nausea, dizziness and fever. Some people also may experience slurred speech, difficulty walking or standing upright and urinating.

The number of cases are likely to rise as the incubation period for the disease is 28 days, which means people may be carrying the germ but may not have fallen ill yet.

Federal and health officials stress that if you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms contact your local physician immediately.