United States
CDC is collaborating with the Mexican Ministry of Health and U.S. state and local health departments to respond to an outbreak of suspected fungal meningitis among patients who had surgical procedures under epidural anesthesia at 2 clinics in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico (River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3). These clinics were closed on May 13, 2023. They are investigating which organism(s) is causing the outbreak. As of May 24, 2023, there are 206 cases under investigation (People with no symptoms or symptoms are unknown, spinal tap results pending or unknown), 9 Suspected cases (Symptoms consistent with meningitis, spinal tap results pending or unknown), 9 Probable cases (Spinal tap results suggest meningitis;2 fungus not isolated), and 2 deaths have been reported (Both patients who died were classified as having probable cases).
CDC is aware of at least 224 people in 25 U.S. states who had epidural anesthesia at River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3 in Matamoros, Mexico, from January 1 to May 13, 2023, and who might therefore be at risk for developing meningitis. State and local health departments are directly contacting people who are known to have had procedures at these two clinics since January 2023 with instructions to go to their nearest health clinic, urgent care, or emergency room for diagnostic testing including an MRI and a spinal tap. A fungal infection is suspected based on elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of the fungal biomarker (1,3)-beta-D-glucan in several patients.
The Mexican national laboratory (InDRE) has reported that 4 patients in Mexico have had spinal fluid test positive by a DNA test for the fungus Fusarium solani.
Symptoms of fungal meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion. It can take weeks for symptoms to develop, and they may be very mild or absent at first. However, once symptoms start, they can quickly become severe and life-threatening. Early testing and treatment can save lives. These infections are not contagious and are not transmitted from person to person.
If you had epidural anesthesia in Matamoros, Mexico, at River Side Surgical Center or Clinica K-3 from January 1 to May 13, 2023, you should go to the nearest health center, urgent care, or emergency room as soon as possible to be evaluated for fungal meningitis, even if you do not currently have symptoms.
CDC advises all members of the public, to cancel any upcoming elective procedure that involves an epidural injection of an anesthetic in Matamoros, Mexico, until there is evidence that there is no longer a risk for infection at these clinics.
Source:
www.cdc.gov
