Meningitis and Fungal Infections Linked to Surgeries in Mexico Border City

U.S. health officials have issued a travel advisory for Matamoros, a Mexico border city, after five people from Texas who underwent surgical procedures there developed suspected cases of fungal meningitis. One of them died. The patients had received an epidural, an anesthetic injected near the spinal column. Fungal meningitis is not transmitted person to person and can be accidentally introduced during a medical or surgical procedure. U.S. and Mexican authorities are investigating the source of the infection. The CDC has urged anyone who had an epidural injection of anesthetic in that region after Jan. 1, 2023, to watch for symptoms of meningitis and consider consulting a doctor.