‘Narcos’ Actor, Manuel Masalva, Fights for His Life in Dubai After Contracting Rare Bacteria

Share:

Mexican actor Manuel Masalva, known for his roles in Narcos: México and Tengo que morir todas las noches, is currently in critical but stable condition at a hospital in Dubai. The actor was placed in a medically induced coma as part of his treatment after contracting a dangerous bacterial infection shortly after finishing a vacation in the Philippines.

According to sources close to the actor, he began feeling ill just a few days after arriving in Dubai, which prevented him from returning to Mexico as planned. His manager, Jaime Jaramillo Espinosa, told the Los Angeles Times that Masalva required emergency medical attention. Unfortunately, the infection had spread to his lungs, and doctors decided to induce a coma to better manage his treatment.

Fundraiser Launched

Given the high cost of medical care in Dubai, the family of Manuel Masalva has launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe, which has already raised over one million pesos. In their most recent update, the family shared a heartfelt message of thanks for all the support they’ve received so far.

Debido a una bacteria desconocida, el actor Manuel Masalva (@manuelmasalva) se encuentra en un hospital en el extranjero, en condición de gravedad, por lo que se necesita ayuda financiera para todos los gastos que se están generando.

Aquí pueden donar:https://t.co/3SmsOSCYz3 pic.twitter.com/Nnn7jrfd61

— Cultura Pop (@RCulturaPop) April 2, 2025

While they’ve kept a low profile regarding further details, some of Masalva’s friends and colleagues have spoken publicly about his condition. Actor Marco León revealed to TV Notas that the bacteria involved is Burkholderia. This is a rare strain whose source and method of transmission in Masalva’s case are still unknown.

What is Burkholderia?

Burkholderia is a group of Gram-negative bacteria commonly found in soil and water. Some species are harmless or even helpful to plants, but others can cause serious infections in humans and animals.

According to Codeinep, certain species like B. cepacia are known to cause pneumonia—especially in people with pre-existing lung conditions or weakened immune systems. These bacteria thrive in moist environments and can survive for long periods. Human-to-human transmission has also been documented, which is why infected patients are often isolated. One of the biggest challenges in treating Burkholderia is its natural resistance to many commonly used antibiotics.