The number of patients who have died as part of an outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to clinics in Mexico rose Friday to six, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS) reported.
The infections occurred in patients who came to receive services at the River Side Surgical Center clinics and the K3 Clinic, in Matamoros.
It is estimated that a total of 212 residents in 25 states have been classified as potentially contagious since they received the injections at the designated clinics.
In Texas, there are 14 people who underwent surgery at these clinics under investigation, 9 suspected cases, 7 probable and 8 confirmed.
Anyone who had surgery, including liposuction, with an epidural in Matamoros in 2023 should seek medical attention to be evaluated for a possible fungal infection, the CDC recommends.
Fungal meningitis can be life-threatening, and early detection of infections is important for treatment.
Symptoms of fungal meningitis include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion.
Public health workers are directly contacting people in Texas who underwent surgery at these two clinics in Matamoros to inform them about the situation and what steps they should take, the health agency reported.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO IS AT RISK
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared a series of recommendations for patients who were exposed to becoming infected:
- Go to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible to get tested for fungal meningitis, even if you currently have no symptoms.
- If you can’t get to an emergency room, consider calling your local health center or urgent care center to see if they can do a lumbar puncture.
- Tell them that you recently received an epidural at one of the clinics in Mexico involved in this outbreak.
