UK holidaymakers are being urged to take care after a rise in cyclospora infections, a parasitic illness that can trigger severe watery diarrhoea. According to the UK Health Security Agency, 67 cases have been reported since April, and many of them involve travellers who recently returned from Mexico.
The agency said 30 cases were recorded in England, 27 in Scotland and 10 in Wales between 30 April and 15 July 2026. Of the 52 cases for which travel details were available, 48 said they had been in Mexico, with many mentioning stays in the Riviera Maya area or in coastal Cancún. The UKHSA said those affected had stayed in a range of hotels and consumed different food and drink as part of all-inclusive holidays.
Food and water precautions remain the main advice
Cyclospora is spread through contaminated food, including salads, herbs and soft fruits, and experts stress that it does not naturally occur in the UK. There is also no risk of it passing directly from person to person. Health officials say travellers can reduce the risk by following food and water hygiene measures, such as drinking bottled water and eating food that is thoroughly cooked, even in higher-end resorts. They also advise avoiding uncooked berries and herbs, unpeeled fruit and salad items.
Most infections clear without treatment, although antibiotics may be used in more serious or longer-lasting cases. The UKHSA expects more cases could emerge as summer travel to Mexico continues, and possibly from the US as well, where a separate outbreak has already affected more than 18,000 people across 45 states. Dr Philip Veal of the agency said anyone who develops symptoms after travel, including watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue or weight loss, should seek medical attention and mention their travel history.
Source: bbc.co.uk
