Authorities in Mexico said Tuesday they have arrested an anesthesiologist they blame for an outbreak of meningitis that has killed 35 patients and sickened 79.
Sonia de la Garza, the chief prosecutor in the northern state of Durango, alleged that the anesthesiologist used contaminated morphine. It was not clear what charges she faces.
De la Garza said the doctor used “inappropriate procedures” when administering spinal blocks, primarily to pregnant women.
MYSTERIOUS OUTBREAK OF MENINGITIS IN MEXICO KILLS 35
The doctor, whose name was withheld, apparently carried his own morphine from one private hospital to another, spreading a fungal infection that contaminated the medicine at the first clinic, authorities said.
A Mexican anesthesiologist has been arrested for allegedly providing contaminated morphine that caused a mysterious spike in meningitis infections and deaths.
The medication may not have been stored properly. Some smaller hospitals or maternity clinics in Mexico do not have their own dispensing pharmacies or are not licensed to handle controlled medications such as opiates and therefore rely on anesthesiologists to bring their own.
De la Garza, the morphine was in “multi-use” vials that would be used on more than one patient. She said tests had ruled out the possibility that it might have been contaminated at the point of manufacture.
FLORIDA WARNS RESIDENTS OF GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL THAT MAY CAUSE MENINGITIS IN HUMANS: REPORT
The authorities also arrested the head of the state health inspection service and one of his employees.
They face charges for breach of duty and homicide. The director was found to be unqualified to hold the position, and the employee allegedly falsified an inspection report at one of four private hospitals, failing to report improper handling or storage of medications.
It was the latest scandal for Mexico’s woefully ill-equipped health system, which has also had recurring difficulties supplying medicines for children with cancer.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In 2020, 14 people died after a hospital run by Mexico’s state-owned oil company gave dialysis patients a drug that was contaminated with bacteria. More than 69 patients fell ill in that outbreak.
