Wyoming Health Officials Warn of Mexican Surgery Infection Risks
The Wyoming Department of Health says at least eight Wyomingites who recently had surgery in Mexico are at risk of potentially deadly infection.
Since October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified several cases of an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria among Americans who had surgery in Tijuana, mostly at Grand View Hospital.
The CDC says eight Wyoming residents recently had weight loss surgery at this facility through trips arranged by weightlossagents.com, a medical travel company.
“While we expect these residents were told of the situation by the travel company, we have been unable to follow up with them directly,” said Clay Van Houten, WDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit Manager.
“Because Mexican health officials found potential infection control and equipment sterilization issues at this hospital, we are also concerned about increased risk of hepatitis B and C and HIV infections," he added.
The WDH recommends anyone who had surgery at Grand View Hospital on or after Aug. 1, 2018 get tested for hepatitis B and C and HIV and seek immediate medical attention if they experience any signs of infection such as fever or redness, pus or swelling at their surgical incision site.
“Wyoming residents should follow CDC warnings and avoid surgical procedures at this particular hospital,” said Van Houten.