UK health officials have reported a rise in Cyclospora infections among returning travellers, with most travel-linked cases associated with recent visits to Mexico.
UK holidaymakers have been advised to take additional food and water precautions following a rise in infections caused by Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that can trigger frequent and sometimes explosive watery diarrhoea.
The UK Health Security Agency recorded 67 cases between April 30 and July 15, 2026. Most cases with available travel information involved people who had recently returned from Mexico, particularly the popular resort regions of Cancún and Riviera Maya.
Advertisement
UK Records 67 Cyclospora Cases Among Returning Travellers
The reported cases included 30 in England, 27 in Scotland and 10 in Wales. Travel details were available for 52 patients, of whom 48 reported visiting Mexico. One of these travellers had also visited the United States.
Those affected had stayed at different hotels and consumed various foods and drinks through all-inclusive holiday packages. Investigators have therefore not attributed the UK cases to one resort, hotel or food product. UK health officials are working with Mexican authorities and travel organisations while investigations continue.(1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Sharp rise in cyclospora infections linked to Mexico travel
Advertisement
Contaminated Food and Water Can Spread Cyclospora
Cyclosporiasis develops after a person consumes food or water contaminated with the parasite. Fresh produce—including salads, herbs, berries and other uncooked fruits and vegetables—has previously been associated with infections and outbreaks.
Direct person-to-person transmission is considered unlikely because the parasite must mature in the environment for at least one to two weeks after leaving an infected person before it becomes capable of infecting someone else.
Advertisement
Symptoms Can Persist or Return After Improving
Symptoms commonly begin around one week after exposure, although they may appear anywhere from two days to two weeks or longer. The most common symptom is watery diarrhoea, which may be frequent or explosive.
Other possible symptoms include:
- Abdominal cramps and bloating
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Increased gas
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Body aches
- Headache or a low-grade fever
Without treatment, symptoms may continue for several days or more than a month. Diarrhea can also improve temporarily before returning. People with weakened immune systems may face a greater risk of prolonged or severe illness.(2✔ ✔Trusted Source
About Cyclosporiasis
)
Food and Water Precautions Can Reduce Travel Risk
Health officials advise travelers to drink sealed bottled water, eat thoroughly cooked food and maintain careful food hygiene—even at high-end or all-inclusive resorts.
Travelers should consider avoiding fresh uncooked berries and herbs, unpeeled fruit and raw salad items. Routine washing or chemical sanitization may not completely remove or kill Cyclospora on contaminated produce. Cooking food thoroughly provides stronger protection against the parasite.(2✔ ✔Trusted Source
About Cyclosporiasis
Travel History Helps Doctors Identify the Infection
Anyone who develops persistent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, nausea or severe fatigue after travelling should seek medical advice and tell the healthcare professional about their recent travel history.(1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Sharp rise in cyclospora infections linked to Mexico travel
)
Cyclospora is diagnosed through stool testing, but it may not be included in routine laboratory panels. Doctors may need to request a specific Cyclospora test, and several samples collected on different days may sometimes be necessary.
Most healthy people eventually recover, although doctors may prescribe trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for confirmed or prolonged infections. Patients should remain hydrated and should not take antibiotics without medical advice.
US Surveillance Numbers Require Careful Interpretation
The CDC reported 6,707 laboratory-confirmed, domestically acquired cases across 45 states between May 1 and July 27, 2026. These included 423 hospitalizations and no reported deaths.
The agency was also reviewing more than 11,500 additional reports that were either not laboratory-confirmed or required further investigation. Descriptions of “more than 18,000 cases” therefore combine confirmed infections with reports that had not yet been verified.
The CDC is investigating several clusters, including a nine-state outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce. These US investigations are separate from the travel-associated cases being examined in the UK.
References:
- Sharp rise in cyclospora infections linked to Mexico travel- (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sharp-rise-in-cyclospora-infections-linked-to-mexico-travel)
- About Cyclosporiasis – (https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/about/index.html)
Source-Medindia