Fatal infections from cosmetic surgery in Mexico

July 20, 2023

Image created by Dall E (open-ai.com) with prompt “Impressionist painting of microscopic image of fungi)

Thirty five Americans who had spinal anesthesia at cosmetic clinics in Matamoras, Mexico  have been diagnosed with fungal meningitis  So far eight have died.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone who had spinal anesthesia in these two clinics from January to May of this year go to an emergency department immediately to have a spinal tap to be sure they are not infected, even if they have no symptoms. Mortality rates are lower if patients are treated before they develop symptoms, and symptoms can start weeks after infection.

Medical care costs much less outside of the United States, and many seek care in other countries for cosmetic procedures that are not covered by employer sponsored health insurance. Some employers historically have arranged programs to send health plan members overseas for surgery such as joint replacement, although these have always been at hospitals that are accredited by the Joint Commission International, which has standards similar to US accreditation. Medical tourism never represented a substantial volume of services in employer sponsored health plans and diminished during the pandemic. People generally want to get their major surgery close to home and their support systems.

Implications for employers:

• Fungal meningitis is not transmissible from person to person - so there is no workplace danger.

• Any plan members who received spinal anesthesia at these two clinics should seek immediate evaluation - and can contact their local health department if they have questions.

• Any health plan medical tourism should include careful vetting of providers