The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning after at least five people in Texas were hospitalized with suspected fungal infections in their brains and spinal cords. The infections are believed to have developed after the patients traveled to Mexico for cosmetic surgeries involving epidural anesthesia. One of the patients has died, and the other four remain hospitalized. All five patients had traveled to Matamoros, Mexico, where they had cosmetic surgeries, including liposuction, in at least two clinics: River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3. State and federal health officials are investigating the outbreak, which could identify additional cases and clinics. According to local media in Mexico, both clinics have been shuttered by health officials. The CDC has advised US health care providers and patients who have had procedures done in Matamoros to be on the lookout for fungal meningitis symptoms. The CDC’s travel alert also advised Americans to cancel any procedures scheduled in Matamoros that involve an epidural injection of an anesthetic.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a warning to people in the United States against seeking epidural procedures in Mexico after at least 40 deaths were reported within the country, including one Texan.
Epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a commonly used medical procedure used to treat neck and back pain. It involves injecting steroids into the epidural space in the spine to reduce inflammation and nerve root compression. ESIs are often offered in a variety of medical locations such as outpatient surgical centers, medical spas, and clinics in foreign countries, including Mexico.
Unfortunately, cases of serious complications and deaths related to ESI have recently been reported in Mexico, with the majority of cases involving patients from the United States. One Texas resident, in particular, succumbed to complications sustained after receiving an epidural procedure at a clinic in Mexico.
The cause of these fatalities remains unknown. However, the CDC has warned people about the potential risks associated with receiving epidural procedures in Mexico, citing uncontrolled healthcare settings, lack of regulation, and limited oversight as likely contributors to the reported deaths.
People who are considering seeking ESI procedures in Mexico are advised to, instead, consult with their local healthcare provider for a safe and effective treatment option for their particular condition. Those who have already received an ESI procedure in Mexico should seek medical evaluation immediately if they experience any adverse symptoms, such as dizziness, chills, or fever.
By issuing this warning, the CDC is taking an important step to safeguard the wellbeing of the citizens of the United States. It is important that people consider potential risks and weigh the benefits before seeking medical care outside of the U.S.
