Geline Salac

Article (news)

Mexican actor Manuel Masalva

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<p>The Department of Health on Tuesday urged the public not to panic following news that Mexican actor Manuel Masalva, best known for his role in Netflix&#x27;s &#x27;Narcos: Mexico&#x27;, is in critical condition after contracting a dangerous bacterial infection after visiting the Philippines.</p><p>Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, DOH spokesman Albert Domingo confirmed the 44-year-old celebrity was placed in a medically induced coma after traveling from the Philippines to Dubai. </p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHMue1KBtTN/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=596&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A8152807.3999999985%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1167" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Masalva visited the Philippines last March 14 before flying to Dubai on March 18. His manager Jaime Jaramillo Espinosa told the Los Angeles Times  Masalva “began to feel internal discomfort and pain which increased by the day” just 2 days after arriving in Dubai.</p><p>“Ang unang tanong namin - anong bacteria? Ayon sa kanyang mga publicist, galing sa Philippines pero sana sinabi po kung anong klaseng bacteria, saan niya nakuha,” Domingo said.</p><p>The spokesperson said the public need not panic amid reports that Masalva is responding to antibiotics.</p><p>He noted Masalva could have contracted food poisoning or had swum in the ocean with an open wound. </p><p>He said DOH has already contacted health units in tourist spots in the country “and we have not received reports of a similar case thus far.”</p>

<p>The Department of Health on Tuesday urged the public not to panic following news that Mexican actor Manuel Masalva, best known for his role in Netflix's 'Narcos: Mexico', is in critical condition after contracting a dangerous bacterial infection after visiting the Philippines.</p>

The Department of Health on Tuesday urged the public not to panic following news that Mexican actor Manuel Masalva, best known for his role in Netflix's 'Narcos: Mexico', is in critical condition after contracting a dangerous bacterial infection after visiting the Philippines.

'Narcos: Mexico' actor in medical coma after PH visit, DOH says no need to panic

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Health & Science

'Narcos: Mexico' actor in medical coma after PH visit, DOH says no need to panic

David Dizon,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 08, 2025 08:49 AM PHT

Read More:

health

narcos mexico

albert domingo

department of health

bacteria

medically induced coma

manuel masalva

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.