At least 35 dead in mysterious meningitis outbreak in Mexico

Officials in the northern Mexican state on Monday reported another death from a mysterious meningitis outbreak, bringing the total death toll from the disease to 35.

To date, health authorities in the largely rural Mexican state of Durango have documented 79 cases of meningitis in recent months.

Meningitis is usually associated with painful inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, often caused by a virus or, in some cases, bacteria or fungal infection.

The first case of meningitis in Durango was confirmed late last year when doctors diagnosed several cases of aseptic meningitis, a particularly harmful inflammation of the brain.

The infected Durango patients had all undergone surgeries using spinal anesthesia at private hospitals in the state’s sprawling capital, also known as Durango, according to data reported by local officials to the World Organization. of health.

So far this year, health authorities in Durango have reported new cases almost daily, as well as hospitalizations and deaths from the disease.

The Mexican Health Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.