Narcos: Mexico actor Manuel Masalva is currently in a medically induced coma after contracting a severe bacterial infection, which he could have contracted during his trip to the Philippines.
According to Deadline, Masalva is in critical but stable condition and is in a hospital in Dubai.
His manager, Jaime Jaramillo Espinosa, the CEO of Mexican management agency JIM Management, told the Los Angeles Times that Masalva, who was in the Philippines before arriving in Dubai on March 18, "began to feel internal discomfort and pain which increased by the day."
After doctors found the infection had progressed to his lungs, Masalva underwent emergency surgery on March 26 and was placed into a medically induced coma.
Espinosa added that Masalva's lungs are reacting positively to the antibiotics he had been taking.
“His respirator was lowered to 80%, which means that his lungs are reacting,” he said.
Meanwhile, Masalva's family launched a
GoFundMe page as he "needs financial assistance for all his expenses."
His co-performer and close friend Mario Morán
posted on Instagram, saying that his "brother is fighting for his life far from home" and needs financial help.
“As was announced yesterday, Manuel Masalva—who is one of my best friends, who is really like a brother to me—fell victim to a very aggressive bacteria while he was on vacation. And this led to him being in an induced coma, and until now his situation continues to be delicate. The medical costs are enormous and in a country where everything is even more difficult. Any help, no matter how small it may seem, can make a difference in this difficult moment. If you are able to contribute, we will express our heart-filled gratitude," he said in Spanish.