The UK Health Security Agency has issued a warning regarding cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms, following a notable increase in cases within the country. Between 30 April and 15 July 2026, a total of 67 cases were reported across the UK, with 30 in England, 27 in Scotland, and 10 in Wales. The vast majority of affected individuals had recently traveled to Mexico, with 48 of the 52 cases that provided travel information identifying Mexico as their destination.
The outbreak corresponds with a significantly larger surge in the United States, where more than 18,000 people across 45 states have contracted the disease. Authorities have not yet identified the specific source of the American outbreak, and no deaths have been reported in either country. The parasite, cyclospora, does not naturally occur in the UK and cannot spread between individuals, reducing domestic transmission concerns.
Cyclosporiasis develops when individuals consume contaminated food items, commonly including salads, herbs, and soft fruits. Affected travelers reported staying at various accommodations within their resort areas, including the Riviera Maya and Cancún regions, and consumed diverse food and beverage options as part of all-inclusive holiday packages. Symptoms experienced by patients include watery diarrhea, which can be severe enough to require frequent bathroom visits, alongside loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, and fatigue.
Experts recommend travelers maintain strict food and water hygiene protocols while abroad, including consuming only bottled water and thoroughly cooked foods. Avoiding raw berries, herbs, unpeeled fruits, and salad items provides additional protection. Although most infections resolve independently, antibiotics may be administered for severe or prolonged cases. Health authorities anticipate additional cases will emerge as summer travel to Mexico and the United States continues.
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