Two die from fungal brain infection linked to cheap plastic surgeries in Mexico
Two Americans have died from a fungal brain inflection linked to cut-price plastic surgeries in Mexico.
A second person, thought to be from Texas, US, is believed to have contracted fungal meningitis after doctors used un-sterilized equipment during discounted cosmetic surgery.
The individual had travelled to Matamoros in Mexico for the cheap surgery, and comes just days after a Texas woman died last week from the same liposuction surgery.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are thought to be more than 200 Americans who travelled to clinics in Matamoros between January and May 13 at risk.
The patients underwent the surgery on the Texan border where two clinics, the River Side Surgical Centre and Clinica K-3, have now been forced to shut by health authorities.
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The K-3 medical clinic has been forced to close by authorities (AFP via Getty Images)Medics have warned patients of the risks of travelling to Mexico from the US for discounted surgery due to clinics being poorly regulated.
Authorities are trying to contact patients who visited the clinics in January and have urged them to get tested as symptoms can take over six weeks to appear.
The patients had all undergone liposuction, which is where fat is removed from areas of the body.
Health authorities in Mexico, along with the CDC, believe there are a further three potential patients.
The Centro Medico has also been forced to close (AFP via Getty Images)According to the CDC, there are 221 US patients who attended the clinics at risk of the fungal infection with local health departments and officials working closely to try and help identify the affected patients.
The CDC has demanded Americans to cancel all surgeries they have booked in Matamoros, Mexico, amid fears of further infection.
Nearly 1.2million Americans visit Mexico each year for cheaper cosmetic surgeries.
Dr Jennifer Shuford, from the Texas Department of Health, said last week: "It is very important that people who have recently had medical procedures in Mexico monitor themselves for symptoms of meningitis.
"Meningitis, especially when caused by bacteria or fungus, can be a life-threatening illness unless treated promptly.'
Patients are said to have become infected after receiving an epidural, which is when a needle is used to inject an anaesthetic into the area around the spinal cord to numb pain.
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Menigitis, which is caused by bacteria or fungus, can be life-threatening as it can swell the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
Some of the early symptoms include headaches, stiff neck, sensitivity to light and a fever.
If the symptoms are not treated quickly, patients can suffer seizers, fall into a coma and die from the infections.
Treatment can involve administering course of antifungal medications into a vein via an IV drip.
In addition, oral drugs maybe being needed for six months or up to a year.
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