Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Linked to Mexican Surgeries Leaves 2 Americans Dead.

At least two Americans have died and 17 have suspected or probable cases of a potentially deadly infection linked to an outbreak at cosmetic surgery clinics in Mexico. The infected patients contracted fungal meningitis after having procedures under epidural anesthesia in Matamoros, Mexico. More than 200 people across the U.S. who underwent operations between Jan. 1 and May 13 of this year may be at risk. Fungal meningitis is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. To be diagnosed with fungal meningitis, a patient gives samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid that are tested for the presence of fungi. If results are positive, patients are then given high doses of antifungal medications intravenously.