Fungal Meningitis Outbreak In Mexico Kills 2 After Cosmetic Surgeries. Here’s What We Know—And Symptoms And Treatment.

Topline

A probable outbreak of fungal meningitis—an infection that causes inflammation near the brain and spinal cord—in Mexican medical clinics has left two Americans dead and over 200 infected, causing the U.S. and Mexico to ask the World Health Organization to issue a public health emergency declaration.

Key Facts

Key Background

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, amebas or parasites. There are six types of meningitis with varying levels of severity, and according to WHO, bacterial meningitis is the greatest concern. One in six people who get bacterial meningitis die, and one in five have severe complications.

Types Of Meningitis

• Fungal meningitis develops after a fungal infection is spread to the brain or spinal cord from elsewhere in the body. It’s usually treated with antifungal medicine, and those with weakened immune systems are more at risk. The CDC recommends risk-prone people to avoid areas and activities with lots of dust or wear N95 masks, use air filtration indoors and clean skin injuries thoroughly.
• Bacterial meningitis is a severe condition, which can cause death in as little as a few hours. However, with proper care, most people recover—sometimes facing permanent disabilities, like brain damage, hearing loss and learning disabilities. Infants, people with certain medical conditions like those with HIV or those without a spleen and travelers to sub-Saharan Africa and Mecca are most at risk.
• Viral meningitis is the most popular form, caused by several different viruses.Most people recover on their own, though anyone with symptoms should see a doctor to rule out another form of meningitis, and there’s typically not a specific treatment because most people with mild cases recover in seven to 10 days.
• Parasitic meningitis is caused by parasitic infection and is much less common than viral and bacterial meningitis. Infection is typically caused by consumption of an infected animal—human to human spread is rare. Some parasites can cause a rare form of parasitic meningitis called eosinophilic meningitis (EM). There isn’t specific treatment for EM, but pain medication may be given to reduce symptoms.
• Amebic meningitis is a rare, fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, which is found in water sources like tap water, soil, poorly managed pools and water heaters. There’ve only been 154 reported cases of this infection in the U.S. between 1962 and 2021—only four people have survived. Non-infectious meningitis is caused by medical conditions or situations and not from person to person. Causes include cancers, lupus, certain medicines, head injury and brain surgery.

Meningitis Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, it can take weeks for symptoms to appear. Early meningitis symptoms for people two years and older resemble flu-like symptoms and include fever, nausea or vomiting, severe headaches, stiff neck, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite or thirst, seizures, trouble walking, confusion or trouble concentrating and rashes. Symptoms present slightly differently in infants and include fever, constant crying, irritability or trouble sleeping, vomiting, poor feeding, stiffness in the neck or body, not waking to eat and a bulge in the soft spot on top of the head. Medical attention is recommended if a patient develops a fever, stiff neck, confusion, vomiting or a severe headache that doesn’t go away.

Tangent

Matamoros is a popular medical tourist destination, especially for U.S. patients. A study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found Mexico was the most common destination of choice for Americans seeking medical tourism, accounting for 41% of all visits. The study also reports dental work accounts for 55% of all treatment, though cosmetic surgeries, cancer care, fertility treatments and organ transplants are all popular among Americans seeking treatment abroad. Cost is typically the main reason for medical tourism—a 2020 study found 92% participants cited low cost in Mexico as a driving factor. However, the State Department recommends against traveling to the border state of Tamaulipas—home to Matamoros—due to rampant violence: In March, four Americans who traveled there for surgery were kidnapped by a suspected Mexican cartel, two of whom died.

Further Reading

Medical Tourism: The Benefits And Risks Of Getting A Tummy Tuck In Mexico Or IVF In India (Forbes)

Two Americans Dead And Two Others Found Alive After Violent Kidnapping In Mexico (Forbes)

U.S., Mexico ask WHO for emergency declaration over deadly fungal outbreak (CBS News)