UK warns of rising cyclospora infections among travellers returning from Mexico

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide (Picture: CDC) Two people have died following an outbreak of a parasitic infection that can cause ‘explosive diarrhoea’. The individuals, both living in Michigan, each had significant underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by cyclosporiasis and dehydration, US health officials said. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness that spreads through food or water contaminated with infected human poo. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it has recorded 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide, with a further 11,500 suspected cases. The illness is not generally life-threatening and generally resolves itself within a few days to a few weeks. US cyclosporiasis cases have climbed to record levels this year, driven at least in part by contaminated lettuce that was later recalled and found in products sold at Yum Brands-owned Taco Bell. While the Food and Drug Administration has linked the outbreak to the lettuce, infections continue to rise as the agency investigates other possible sources. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness that spreads through food or water contaminated with infected human poo (Picture: Shutterstock/Yeti studio) US cyclosporiasis cases have climbed to record levels this year, driven at least in part by contaminated lettuce (Picture: Reuters) Cases of the intestinal illness have been rising steadily across the United States in recent weeks, according to the CDC. Officials in Michigan said the sheer number of cases combined with gaps in reporting and people being unable to recall what they ate is making it hard to determine a source. Susan Ringler Cerniglia, spokesperson for the Washtenaw County Health Department, where 875 cases have been reported, said: ‘We have one clear implicated food, but it doesn’t explain everything.’ She said mixed messaging from the US Department of Health and Human Services had also complicated the response. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said the outbreak is under control. ‘Leadership is saying things that don’t really fit with what the data is telling us, and that’s very, very problematic,’ Ms Ringler Cerniglia said. ‘The secretary is saying this is under control and it’s all good while you have case counts exploding.’ Travelling to Mexico this summer? We've seen a sharp rise in cyclospora infections linked to the destination.The tiny parasite is picked up through contaminated food, even at high-end all-inclusive resorts and causes explosive diarrhoea. pic.twitter.com/dPIRLJdYxC— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) July 30, 2026 The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said cyclosporiasis does not occur naturally in the UK but is found in several tropical and subtropical countries. It recommends travellers to those countries bring a basic first aid kit – including hand sanitiser and oral rehydration sachets – with them and ensure they have ‘comprehensive’ travel insurance. Symptoms can include watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, bloating, wind, nausea, fever, tiredness, muscle aches, and loss of appetite or weight.  The agency also suggests taking precautions to minimise the risk of infection, including regularly washing hands, drinking only bottled water and avoiding ice, eating freshly cooked food served hot, and being cautious with smoothies and juices, which may contain raw fruit or vegetables.  Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

Brits are being warned about a parasite that has come to the UK following the return of holidaymakers from destinations such as Mexico - see symptoms.

The infection has swept through the US and now affects Brits returning from Mexico (Picture: Getty Images) British tourists have been warned that cases of an ‘explosive diarrhoea’ parasite are surging. Holidaymakers have been falling ill with the nasty infectious disease called cyclosporiasis. The UKHSA said 67 cases have been reported since April, with many of them from Brits returning from Mexico. The gnarly infection has swept across the United States, infecting more than 18,000 people across 45 states, although has died from it. Due to the difficult nature of tracing this specific parasite, the origin of the outbreak has remained largely a mystery. Cyclospora cayetanesis is a parasite that infects the small intestine and causes an illness known as cyclosporiasis. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. The Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite which has caused thousands to fall ill (Picture: US CDC) The parasite can contaminate food like salads, herbs and soft fruits.  Experts have stressed that cyclospora is not typically spread directly from person to person and doesn’t naturally occur in the UK. IN the last fourth months, 30 cases of cyclosporiasis has been reported in England, alongside 27 in Scotland and 10 in Wales, the UKHSA said. There is travel information for 52 of these cases, with 48 reported having travelled in Mexico. Many said they had stayed in the beach resort area of Riviera Maya, or north of there in coastal Cancún. The UKHSA said those affected reported staying in “a range of different hotels and consuming a variety of different food and drink within their resort as part of an all-inclusive holiday package”. The agency is also working with Mexican public health authorities to help their investigations. What are symptoms of cyclosporiasis? Symptoms of infection can include frequent watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.  While cyclosporiasis is usually mild and most people improve typically in a few days without any treatment, infections can be more serious or prolonged in people who are immunocompromised and antibiotics may be prescribed. Lettuce has been suggested as one of the possible causes of the outbreak (Picture: Shutterstock/ sahinside) Tourists have been urged to avoid certain foods to cut their risk of catching the parasite. 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.’ Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

Health officials have warned Scottish tourists heading to Mexico this summer to follow strict food and water hygiene measures after a sharp rise in cyclospora parasite infections

There has been a significant increase in cyclospora infections among travellers returning from Mexico and expects more cases as the summer holiday season continues

The UK is seeing a sharp rise in cases - 67 since April - with many of them among travellers returning from Mexico.