Cyclospora Parasite Outbreak: UKHSA Issues Urgent Travel Health Warning
UK officials urge you to be extra cautious when it comes to your food and drinking water if you are planning to visit Mexico this summer. The UK Health Security Agency issued a formal health warning following a spike in Cyclospora cases among travellers returning from Mexico. Case numbers are already far above the seasonal average, and officials expect this trend to continue during summer travel.
What’s confirmed, symptoms to look out for and how you can protect yourself when traveling to Mexico this holiday season.
What UKHSA has Confirmed
UKHSA data shows that between 30 April and 15 Jul 2026, 67 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in England, Scotland and Wales. This is broken down into 30 cases in England and 27 cases in Scotland. This is a significant increase compared to the average annual number of 93 cases between 2022-2025.
In 52 of the 67 cases, there was travel information available. 48 of those cases involved travel to Mexico. Most stayed in hotels located at Riviera Cancun and Cancun and consumed food and drinks as part of all-inclusive packages. A few additional cases have been linked to travel in the United States and Kenya.
As investigations continue, UKHSA now works directly with the Association of British Travel Agents and Mexican Public Health Officials.
Why this warning is important
Dr. Philip Veal confirmed that the UKHSA has seen a significant increase in travel-related cases, specifically those related to Mexico. The number of cases associated with travel will continue to rise throughout the remainder of the summer holidays, due to both an increase in travel to Mexico and the Cyclospora epidemic currently raging in the United States.
What is Cyclospora?
The microscopic parasite Cyclospora causes cyclosporiasis. This is a digestive illness UKHSA describes as “explosive diarrhea.” It is not found naturally in the UK, but it’s more common in tropical and subtropical areas. Infection occurs when people consume food or water that is contaminated by the parasite. This usually involves fresh produce such as herbs, salads, soft fruit, or unpeeled fruits.
It is important to note that cyclospora can’t spread from one person to another by normal contact because the parasite requires time to leave the body before it can become infectious.
Cyclospora Symptoms
The symptoms usually appear about a month after the exposure. They can include:
- Watery diarrhoea
- Stomach cramps, bloating and pain
- Nausea or flatulence
- Low-grade fever
- Unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite
- Fatigue and muscle aches
Most mild infections will go away on their own in a few short days. People with weakened immunity may experience more severe illness or a longer duration of symptoms. They will need to be treated by a doctor using antibiotics, usually co-trimoxazole.
Contact your GP if you experience persistent diarrhoea after traveling, especially if the symptoms persist for more than a couple of days, worsen, or you are immunocompromised.
How to protect yourself while traveling
The official UKHSA travel advice for Mexico includes:
- Use bottled water or water that has been boiled when the safety of tap water is in doubt, and brush your teeth with the same water.
- Do not put ice in your drinks, unless they are made from safe water
- Choose meals that are freshly cooked and thoroughly cooked, and served hot
- Do not eat raw fruit, salads, herbs, or berries if you cannot verify the way they have been washed and prepared.
- Hand hygiene is important on your entire trip.
As there is no vaccine for Cyclospora at the moment, food and water hygiene is still the best way to protect travellers.
Frequently asked questions
How many Cyclospora infections has the UK reported this year?
UKHSA recorded 67 cases from 30 April to 15 July 2026. This is well above the average annual number of 93 cases for the years 2022-2025.
Is Mexico safe for travel right now?
UKHSA does not advise against traveling to Mexico but urges extra caution when it comes to food and water safety, especially around fresh produce and frozen ice.
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Common symptoms are watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and bloating. They may also include low-grade fevers, fatigue, and a loss of appetite. These symptoms usually appear about a week following exposure.
Can cyclospora be spread from one person to another?
It cannot be spread by normal person-to-personcontacts, as the parasite needs time to develop outside the body before it can become infectious.
Is there a link between this and the US lettuce outbreaks?
UKHSA noted that the timing coincides closely with an outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the US, which was linked to contaminated lettuce. They expect a possible increase in US-linked cases as well.
What is the treatment for cyclosporiasis?
The majority of cases will resolve themselves within a couple of days. In more severe cases or those that are prolonged, such as in immunocompromised patients, antibiotics like co-trimoxazole may be required.
Final Thoughts
UKHSA has a clear message: even in all-inclusive resorts, simple food and drink precautions will reduce your risk. For updates on the latest health and travel alerts, follow USA Times Square.
