Sharp rise in cyclospora infections linked to Mexico journey

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has printed new information displaying a pointy rise in cyclospora infections amongst travellers getting back from Mexico.

UKHSA is advising all travellers to take precautions when travelling overseas together with sustaining good meals and water hygiene to cut back their danger of an infection.

Cyclospora is a parasite that causes explosive diarrhoea. Contaminated meals particularly herbs, salad and smooth fruit are widespread sources of outbreaks and infections. Infection is acquired through consumption of contaminated meals. Cyclospora doesn’t naturally happen within the UK and there’s no danger of unfold from individual to individual.

Symptoms of an infection can embody frequent watery diarrhoea, belly cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever, lack of urge for food and weight reduction. While cyclosporiasis is normally delicate and most of the people enhance sometimes in a number of days with none remedy, infections will be extra critical or extended in people who find themselves immunocompromised and antibiotics could also be prescribed.

The newest information, printed at this time, reveals that 67 circumstances have been reported in returning travellers in England (30 circumstances) Wales and (10 circumstances) Scotland (27 circumstances) between 30 April and 15 July 2026; a pointy rise this yr when in comparison with the annual common of 93 circumstances recorded between 2022 and 2025.

Travel info is on the market for 52 out of the 67 circumstances; of those, 48 reported journey to Mexico, with one additionally reporting journey to the USA. One additional case reported journey to the USA solely, and one to Kenya.

Among those that travelled to Mexico, circumstances reported staying at a spread of various motels within the Riviera Maya and Cancún areas and consuming quite a lot of food and drinks as a part of all-inclusive vacation packages. Further investigations across the circumstances are ongoing.

UKHSA anticipates a continued rise in travel-associated circumstances linked to elevated summer season journey to Mexico and a possible enhance in circumstances linked to journey to the USA, the place a widespread outbreak has been reported.

Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Travel Health at UKHSA, mentioned:

We have not too long ago detected an increase in Cyclospora infections amongst travellers getting back from Mexico. These infections are brought on by a parasite and may have an effect on the abdomen and intestines.

Travellers to Mexico and different areas the place the an infection is extra widespread can scale back their danger by following good meals and water hygiene measures, together with ingesting bottled water and consuming totally cooked meals, even when staying in high-end all-inclusive resorts. We additionally advise avoiding sure meals equivalent to contemporary raw berries and herbs, unpeeled fruit and salad objects.

If you develop signs after getting back from journey, equivalent to watery diarrhoea, lack of urge for food, weight reduction, abdomen cramps or ache, bloating, elevated wind, nausea, fatigue or different flu-like signs, please search medical consideration and inform your healthcare skilled of your journey historical past.

The TravelHealthProfessional web site has extra info on the steps you possibly can take to maintain your self and your loved ones effectively.

UKHSA is liaising with ABTA and Mexican public well being authorities to tell investigations into the rise in circumstances. We proceed to work with the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) to make sure acceptable recommendation is in place for UK travellers.

Further recommendation is on the market on NaTHNaC’s TravelHealthPro web site, together with particular info on cyclospora and summer travel.