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The Public Health Agency has warned that at least 30 Canadians who had weight-loss surgery in Mexico are at risk of having a potentially deadly infection.
An investigation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control last month found Canadians underwent the surgical procedure at the Grand View Hospital in Tijuana – just like American patients who became infected with an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria.
Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada’s deputy chief public-health officer, said it “may be that we never know the exact number of Canadians involved”.
He added: “We’re trying to ensure that all patients … should be having communications from the treating facility to inform them of their potential risk so that they can do medical follow-ups.”
Patients who went to the Grand View Hospital, or other Tijuana facilities, starting last August, are advised to seek medical help immediately if they’re experiencing signs of infection.
That includes fever, redness, pus or swelling at the surgical site.
The bacteria involved is called pseudomonas aeruginosa, a known hazard in medical settings – especially for patients who have had surgery.
The health agency also warns of risk of blood-borne infections including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C due to poor equipment sterilization at Grand View.
A 2017 survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found Canadians were the third-biggest market for plastic surgery outside their home country, behind only Americans and Spaniards.
According to Statistics Canada, overseas health-related spending by Canadians rose from $447 million in 2013 to $690 million in 2017.
With files from the Canadian Press
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