A UK health body is warning of a sharp rise in cyclospora infections among travellers returning from stays at all-inclusive hotels in Mexico, with symptoms including explosive diarrhoea.
It is also warning there could be a rise in cases among those travelling to the US this summer.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said 67 cases of cyclospora were reported in travellers returning to England, Scotland and Wales between the end of April and mid-July.
Between 2022 and 2025, it saw an average of only 93 cases a year.
Of the 67, 48 had travelled to Mexico, and one had travelled to both Mexico and the US. Another had travelled only to the US, and one had been to Kenya. It didn’t have travel information for the others.
Those who travelled to Mexico had stayed in all-inclusive hotels in the Cancun and Riviera Maya regions.
The UKHSA is liaising with ABTA and Mexican public health authorities to investigate the cases.
In the meantime, it is advising all travellers to take precautions when travelling abroad, including ‘maintaining good food and water hygiene’ to reduce their risk of infection.
What is cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a parasite found in contaminated food. Herbs, salad and soft fruit are common sources of outbreaks and infections.
Symptoms can include frequent watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.
It is usually mild and most people improve within a few days without any treatment, but infections can be more serious or prolonged in people who are immunocompromised, and antibiotics may be prescribed.
Cyclospora is not naturally occurring in the UK and does not spread from person to person.
How can you prevent getting sick?
The UKHSA said it expects a continued rise in travel-associated cases linked in increased summer travel to Mexico and a potential increase in cases linked to travel to the US, where a widespread outbreak has been reported.
Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Travel Health at UKHSA, said: “Travellers to Mexico and other areas where the infection is more common can reduce their risk by following good food and water hygiene measures, including drinking bottled water and eating thoroughly cooked food, even when staying in high-end all-inclusive resorts.
“We also advise avoiding certain foods such as fresh uncooked berries and herbs, unpeeled fruit and salad items.
“If you develop symptoms after returning from travel, such as watery diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased wind, nausea, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention and inform your healthcare professional of your travel history.”
What does ABTA say?
An ABTA Spokesperson said: “ABTA provides an operational bulletin service to bring to members attention destination operational, safety, health and security matters that may impact their programmes, so that they can conduct their own investigation and update customers as appropriate.
“We meet regularly with UKHSA and NaTHNaC and share their updates and insights with our members, in this case, the cyclospora update was circulated in an operational bulletin last week.
“All FCDO travel advice updates are shared with members and the travel advice for Mexico has long standing information re cyclospora in the health section.”
