Concerns have escalated as five patients who visited the border city opposite Brownsville, Texas, have been hospitalized, with one unfortunate fatality.

The infected individuals had all undergone cosmetic procedures, including liposuction, where they received epidural anesthesia at two Matamoros clinics, namely River Side Surgical Center and Clínica K-3. The CDC has warned that additional facilities may also be implicated as investigations progress.

In response to this alarming situation, the CDC has raised the travel alert to level 2, urging individuals who underwent epidural injections in Matamoros since January 1, 2023, to exercise enhanced precautions. Symptoms of meningitis, such as fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sensitivity to light, should be closely monitored. Those experiencing such symptoms after a procedure in Matamoros are strongly advised to seek immediate medical attention at a hospital emergency department, providing details of the procedure and travel history.

The Texas Department of State Health Service has echoed the CDC's concerns, emphasizing that all five affected patients had traveled from Texas to Matamoros for surgical interventions.

At present, the root cause of these suspected meningitis cases remains unknown. Taking precautionary measures, the Tamaulipas government has shut down River Side Surgical Center and Clínica K-3, the identified clinics, while launching an investigation into potential irregularities that may have jeopardized patient safety.

Vicente Joel Hernández Navarro, the State Health Minister, has assured the public that efforts are underway to contact 168 individuals who underwent procedures at the two clinics and may be at risk of contracting fungal meningitis. However, the scale of potential impact is believed to be much broader, with authorities estimating that up to 400 individuals could be affected.

In a joint effort, health authorities from the United States and Mexico are collaborating to identify the source of the infections, prioritizing public health protection and preventing further cases from arising. (ILKHA)