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2023 Mexico Meningitis outbreak

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2023 Mexico Meningitis outbreak
Fusarium solani species of fungal meningitis
DiseaseFungal meningitis
LocationMatamoros, Tamaulipas
Dates8 May 2023-present
Confirmed cases9
Suspected cases‡15
Deaths
7
‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out.

In 2023, a fungal meningitis outbreak linked to two cosmetic surgery clinics in Matamoros, Mexico resulted in the death seven women, one in Mexico and six in the United States.

History

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On May 8, 2023, the Emerging Infections Network system brought two unusual meningitis cases to the attention of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency issued a level 2 travel health notice on May 16 and a Health Alert Notice the subsequent day.[1]

By late May 2023, the CDC was monitoring about 400 people, 11 of whom had probable and 14 of whom had suspected fungal meningitis. At that time, Texan women Shyanne Medrano (aged 31)[2][3] and Lauren Robinson (aged 29)[4][5] had died after receiving epidural anaesthesias at two cosmetic surgery clinics in Matamoros.[6][7] Patients were predominantly U.S. citizens receiving breast augmentation, buttock augmentation or liposuction.[8]

Both the River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3 were shut down by health authorities on May 13, 2023.[7] The fusarium solani species of fungus appeared to be present at the clinics.[8] Mexican president López Obrador attributed the outbreak to contaminated medication.[9]

By June 7, there were 14 suspected cases, 10 probable cases and four deaths. The CDC were examining 179 people linked to the outbreak.[10]

Mexican and U.S. health agencies urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a warning about the outbreak.[7] On June 1, 2023, the World Health Organization reported that the CDC had notified them of five confirmed cases, all women and noted 20 other suspected cases.[1]

In June 2023, attempts to contact patients of the affected clinic were failing due to transcription errors, patients giving incorrect details, and patients being unable to afford the relevant meningitis tests. Some patients who attended Emergency Departments to seek testing were turned away due to a lack of symptoms, despite fungal meningitis sometimes being asymptomatic for over a week.[8] By June 29, there were nine confirmed cases, and seven deaths, one in Mexico and six in the United States.[11] The next day, there were 10 probable cases plus 15 suspected that cases, with 161 people under investigation.[12]

The majority of suspected cases are younger American women in Texas.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Outbreak of suspected fungal meningitis associated with surgical procedures performed under spinal anaesthesia – the United States of America and Mexico". www.who.int. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  2. ^ Kekatos, Mary (29 May 2023). "What is fungal meningitis after 2 Americans die from the infection contracted in Mexico". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  3. ^ Marigny, Dianté (26 May 2023). "Houston woman killed by fungal meningitis after receiving surgery in Matamoros grieved by family, friends". KRGV. Archived from the original on 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  4. ^ Ladden-Hall, Dan (2023-06-02). "Mom Dead After Meningitis Diagnosis Tied to Mexico Clinics". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  5. ^ Mosbergen, Dominique (2023-05-30). "Deadly Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Linked to Cosmetic Surgeries in Mexico". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  6. ^ "US and Mexico sound alarm over cosmetic surgery-linked fungal outbreak". BBC News. 2023-05-27. Archived from the original on 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  7. ^ a b c Holpuch, Amanda (2023-05-28). "2 Are Dead in Suspected Meningitis Outbreak Linked to Surgeries in Mexico". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  8. ^ a b c Syal, Akshay (2023-06-12). "Fungal meningitis outbreak in U.S. kills 4 as CDC tries to track patients of clinics in Mexico". NBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  9. ^ "US and Mexico seek WHO help with fungal meningitis outbreak". Mexico News Daily. 2023-05-29. Archived from the original on 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  10. ^ Genovese, Daniella (2023-06-13). "Death toll rises in fungal meningitis outbreak tied to procedures in Mexico". FOXBusiness. Archived from the original on 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  11. ^ Weintraub, Allie (29 June 2023). "Mom battles fungal meningitis after cosmetic surgery at Mexico clinic linked to deadly outbreak". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  12. ^ "Seven Dead, 161 Under Investigation After Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Linked to Surgeries in Mexico: CDC". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on 2023-07-01. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  13. ^ "Some patients in fungal meningitis outbreak have surprising complications, doctors say". NBC News. 2023-07-03. Archived from the original on 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
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