Mendoza health authorities suspend surgeries at private hospital after meningitis outbreak

The Ministry of Health and Sports of Mendoza has ordered the preventive suspension of all surgical activities at the Hospital Privado de Mendoza following a post-surgical meningitis outbreak. The outbreak is linked to the bacterium Serratia marcescens, which has infected four patients, resulting in two deaths.

The health alert was triggered on October 21 after patients previously treated at the private facility sought care at the Hospital Central with severe symptoms. Provincial technical teams, including specialists in epidemiology, infrastructure, and pharmacy, have conducted inspections of the hospital's facilities.

Authorities are currently conducting a rigorous analysis of surgical procedures and medical supplies, including anesthetics, antiseptics, medications, and surgical instruments, to identify a common source of contamination. An active search is underway to identify other patients operated on during October who may have been exposed. Health officials have advised anyone operated on at the facility during that period to monitor for symptoms such as high fever, intense headache, vomiting, and neck stiffness.