CDC Urges Testing as Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Claims 7 Lives
A fungal meningitis outbreak linked to two clinics in Matamoros, Mexico, has resulted in the deaths of seven people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging individuals who may have been exposed to the fungus to undergo testing immediately, as the disease can progress quickly and be fatal. Efforts to identify and contact potentially infected individuals have been hindered by incomplete contact information. Fungal meningitis is caused by a fungal infection that spreads through the bloodstream and affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The CDC anticipates that the number of infected people and the death rate will continue to rise. The outbreak highlights the risks associated with medical tourism, as patients seek cheaper procedures abroad where safety protocols and oversight may be lacking.