Narcos: Mexico star Manuel Masalva is in a medically induced coma after contracting a “very aggressive” bacterial infection while traveling in the Philippines.
The Los Angeles Times reports the 34-year-old actor is in critical but stable condition in a hospital in Dubai. His manager, Jaime Jaramillo Espinosa, said Masalva went to the hospital after he began to “feel internal discomfort and pain” while traveling in Dubai.
Masalva underwent emergency surgery March 26, but the infection spread to his lungs the following day. Doctors were eventually able to identify the bacteria and administer the appropriate antibiotics, per the Times.
“He is a strong and young man. He is healthy,” Espinosa said of the actor. “[His family and I] are certain that he is going to pull through and wake up.”
Masalva’s family set up a GoFundMe account for his medical expenses, noting he is in “serious condition.” The fundraiser has raised $1.05 million in Mexican pesos, which converts to just north of $50,000.
The actor’s good friend and actor Mario Morán shared a video on social media addressing the situation.
“My brother is fighting for his life far from home. I want to ask for your help in this very difficult moment,” Morán said. “As was made known yesterday, Manuel Masalva — who is one of my best friends [and] who is really like a brother to me — fell victim to an aggressive bacteria while he was on vacation. This led to him being in an induced coma and now his situation continues to be delicate.”
He asked for support from his followers, adding, “The medical costs are huge and in a country where everything is even more difficult.”
Morán later shared an update on Masalva’s condition while thanking his followers for their support. “His condition is still delicate. They have identified the bacteria that infected him and he is receiving adequate treatment,” Morán wrote in a statement. “Now, all that remains is to wait and trust that in the coming days or weeks he will start to improve.”
Masalva starred in Netflix’s Narcos spinoff Narcos: Mexico from 2018 to 2021 as Ramón Arellano Félix. He has also starred in several Spanish language series, including La Rosa De Guadalupe and La Guzmán.
His most recent role was in the series Tengo Que Morir Todas Las Noches.
Narcos: Mexico is streaming now on Netflix.