Drug-resistant infections in Mexico
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level-2 alert for drug-resistant infections in Mexico, meaning that travellers should practice enhanced precautions.
According to the CDC, some US residents returning from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, were diagnosed with infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. All of the travellers had had an invasive medical procedure performed in Tijuana, most of whom had weight-loss surgery and half of whom had their surgery done at the Grand View Hospital.
The Mexican Government has closed the hospital until further notice and the CDC has recommended that travellers to Tijuana do not have surgery at the Grand View Hospital until authorities can confirm that the drug-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria is no longer there.
Further advice is for travellers to see a travel medicine specialist in their home country at least a month before their trip in order to receive guidance and advice on vaccines and medicines they may need for their trip. If travelling abroad for a procedure, travellers should research the healthcare provider performing the procedure, as well as the clinic or hospital where they will be receiving care. They should also be mindful that standards for providers and clinics abroad may be different from those in their country of residence.