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CDC Issues Travel Advisory After Fungal Infections Reported In Mexico

By on May 18, 2023 0 183Views

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning against traveling to a Mexican border town for certain procedures after some U.S. residents returned home with fungal meningitis.

Five Texas residents have been diagnosed with a major infection after having surgery in Matamoros, Mexico. One of the American travelers has died, and four others are currently hospitalized.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the five patients, range in age from 30s to 50s, and all had a procedure that involved an epidural. The medical procedure of an epidural is where anesthetic is injected around the spinal column.

The CDC and Texas DSHS have issued a warning to anyone who has had an epidural injection in Matamoros, Mexico recently should consider seeking medical advice and be aware of any concerning symptoms.

Fungal infections can cause many different illnesses including meningitis, which is the swelling of the brain and spinal cord’s protective covering. It can be life-threatening unless treated quickly.

Symptoms of fungal meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sensitivity to light. The five patients’ symptoms began three days to six weeks after their surgeries were performed.

The Level 2 travel advisory that has been issued alerts travelers to “practice enhanced precautions” amid the ongoing public health investigation. Health authorities in both the United States and Mexico are investigating the source of the infections, whether the cases are linked and whether there are more cases.

The CDC is recommending that people should cancel any procedures in Matamoros, Mexico that involve an epidural until there is evidence that there is no longer a risk for infection at these clinics performing procedures.