The outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to two cosmetic surgery clinics in Mexico has prompted the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge member states to enhance their ability to identify, handle, and prevent occurrences of antimicrobial-resistant organisms associated with medical tourism.
Medical tourists seek aesthetic and cosmetic surgery in Mexico, Canada, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Their primary motivations for traveling are to save money, avoid long waiting lists, or access procedures not available where they live.
According to an epidemiologic update by PAHO, there has been an outbreak that has impacted 35 US residents who traveled to clinics and underwent procedures with epidural anesthesia. Among these patients, ten have been diagnosed with fungal meningitis, and unfortunately, eight have passed away, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The update highlights the severity of the situation and the need for further investigation and measures to address and contain the outbreak.
PAHO provides several recommendations to prevent outbreaks of resistant organisms associated with medical tourism. These include conducting prompt outbreak investigations upon detection of initial cases, implementing appropriate infection prevention and control measures, establishing a communication strategy to disseminate outbreak information, and reporting findings to the relevant authorities in the country where the infection likely originated.
The report also emphasizes the need for clinical laboratories to adopt a regional protocol for detecting resistant strains and for lab personnel to receive training in identifying healthcare-associated pathogens commonly acquired from international sources.
You can view the PAHO report here Epidemiological Update - Outbreaks associated with medical and health tourism - 7 July 2023 - PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization
For latest case counts and updated information, view the CDC report https://herdingcats.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341ca4d953ef0133f215132e970b-pi
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/antimicrobial-stewardship/paho-warns-about-infections-linked-medical-tourism
Melissa Massey is a Training Manager for Education and Institutional Preparedness for the SPECTRE Program.