Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Updated

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update CDCHAN-00492 to supplement the HAN issued on May 17, 2023, offering updates on the ongoing fungal meningitis outbreak.

As of June 1, 2023, a multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis is ongoing among patients who underwent procedures under epidural anesthesia in the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, at two clinics: River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3.

A total of 212 residents in 25 U.S. states and jurisdictions have been identified who might be at risk of fungal meningitis because they received epidural anesthesia at the clinics of interest in 2023.

Three of these patients (two probable cases and one confirmed case) have died.

Various laboratories have detected fungal signals consistent with the Fusarium solani species complex from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients receiving follow-up care in Mexico or the U.S.

In addition, elevated levels of beta-D-glucan, a biomarker of fungal infection, have been detected in the CSF of at least six patients. Efforts by public health officials are ongoing to find and notify additional patients who might be at risk.

Healthcare providers, public health officials, and the public should be aware that all patients, including those without symptoms, who underwent medical or surgical procedures under epidural anesthesia in Matamoros, Mexico, since January 1, 2023, should be evaluated for fungal meningitis as soon as possible.

As of June 2, 2023, the WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on Mexico and the U.S. based on the current information available on this event.