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Texas mother among three Americans to die from fungal meningitis after outbreak linked to Mexican clinics

Lauren Robinson, 29, died in Galveston months after she travelled across the border to have a cosmetic procedure

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Friday 02 June 2023 18:41 EDT
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Lauren Robinson one of three American victims of fungal meningitis outbreak linked to Mexican surgical clinics
Lauren Robinson one of three American victims of fungal meningitis outbreak linked to Mexican surgical clinics (Memorial Funeral Home)

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A Texas woman is among three Americans who have died from fungal meningitis after an outbreak linked to cosmetic surgeries in Mexico.

Mother-of-four Lauren Robinson, 29, died in Galveston months after she travelled across the border to have a cosmetic procedure carried out.

Health officials have now warned US residents to cancel planned surgeries in Matamoros, after the three deaths and 17 developed suspected cases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday that the cases were among patients who underwent epidural anaesthesia. The outbreak has been linked to two clinics, River Side Surgical Center and Clinicia K-3.

A total of 212 residents in 25 states have been identified as at risk of fungal meningitis because they received epidural anaesthesia at those clinics in 2023, the CDC said.

Mexican health officials closed the two clinics on 13 May but symptoms can take weeks to develop.

General view of one of the medical clinics suspended by Mexican health authorities, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas
General view of one of the medical clinics suspended by Mexican health authorities, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas (AFP via Getty Images)

Robinson’s family says that in the last few weeks of her life, she suffered three mini-strokes.

“I can’t explain how it feels to go through this, and I can’t tell everyone enough, don’t do it,” her husband Garrett Robinson previously told 12News.

“My kids look up to her like she was their own, it’s just, it’s heartbreaking and I just want people to know, you know, tell your wife no.

“Woman too, if you’re considering and you don’t have a man to tell you no, no, don’t do it, it’s not worth it.”

General view of one of the medical clinics suspended by Mexican health authorities, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico on May 19, 2023.
General view of one of the medical clinics suspended by Mexican health authorities, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico on May 19, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images)

An obituary for Robinson described her as “a beloved individual who brought joy and warmth to the lives of those around her.”

“She found solace in the great outdoors and cherished her time spent fishing, hunting, and simply being outside,” the obituary said.

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