cyclospora

The cyclospora parasite causes explosive diarrhoea and contaminated food, particularly herbs, salad and soft fruit, are common sources of infection

There has been a rise in Brits contracting a parasite that causes explosive diarrhoea.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows a “sharp rise” in cyclospora infections among people who’ve travelled to Mexico. Cyclospora is a parasite that causes explosive diarrhoea.

Contaminated food, specifically herbs, salad and soft fruit, are common sources of outbreaks and infections. Infection is acquired via consumption of contaminated food.

Cyclospora doesn’t naturally occur in the UK and there is no risk of spread from person to person, UKHSA said. A total of 67 cases have been reported across the UK between April 30 and July 15.

The agency has now advised all travellers to take precautions when going abroad by maintaining good food and water hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. Besides frequent watery diarrhoea, cyclospora also causes abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Infections are usually mild and most people improve within a few days without treatment. However, these can present as more severe or prolonged in people who are immunocompromised and antibiotics may be prescribed.

Data published today shows that, out of the 67 cases reported in travellers returning to the UK, 30 of those were in England, 27 in Scotland and 10 in Wales. The UKHSA says this is a “sharp rise” compared to the annual average of 93 cases recorded between 2022 and 2025.

Travel information is available for 52 out of the 67 cases, with 48 of those reported to have travelled to Mexico. One of the 48 also reported travelling to the United States of America.

A further case reported travelling to the USA only and one to Kenya. Those who travelled to Mexico reported staying at a range of hotels in the Riviera Maya and Cancún regions and consuming a variety of food and drink as part of all-inclusive holiday packages.

Further investigations around the cases are ongoing. UKHSA said it anticipates a continued rise in travel-associated cases as an increased number of people travel to Mexico during the summer.

Travel to the USA, where a widespread outbreak has been reported, could also potentially increase the number of cases in the UK.

Dr Philip Veal, consultant in travel health at UKHSA, said: “We have recently detected a rise in Cyclospora infections among travellers returning from Mexico. These infections are caused by a parasite and can affect the stomach and intestines.

“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.”

UKHSA is liaising with ABTA, the travel association, and Mexican public health authorities to inform investigations into the rise in cases.

July 10 (UPI) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that well over 800 cases of a food-borne parasite have been confirmed by 31 states.

CDC officials were working with state and local health agencies to investigate clusters of cyclosporiasis cases in multiple states, some of which the Food and Drug Administration is working to trace and others that have not yet been linked to a common source, the agency said in an update.

Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the parasite cyclospora, which can cause watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, and in some cases require hospitalization, according to the CDC.

The parasite can be acquired when people eat or drink contaminated food or water and, although it can be spread year-round, it is considered to be a larger problem during the spring and summer months.

The current series of outbreaks has been tracked since at least mid-June, although the FDA lists its first investigation of cyclospora as staring June 3. With no product linked to the parasite or any other outbreak, the FDA is attempting to trace back to a source.

“Multiple jurisdictions have reported an increase of cases in the last two weeks compared to the same period in 2025,” the CDC said in the update.

“We assume a 6-week reporting lag between illness onset and case reporting to CDC,” the agency said. “Therefore, we anticipate that case counts will continue to rise as data are received.”

The CDC reported that as of July 9, it has confirmed 843 cases of the nationally notifiable disease in 31 states, with 86 hospitalizations, but officials said the agency is aware of at least 1,500 more cases that have not yet been confirmed as domestically acquired in the United States.

Among the states reporting cases and investigations, Michigan on July 4 reported that its confirmed cases increased to 572, a large increase from 170 on June 30.

Cyclospora infects the small intestine after contaminated food or drink is consumed, and symptoms of infection can be seen anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.

Overall, the infection is generally not life-threatening, but because of dehydration linked to frequent and sometimes explosive diarrhea — especially in younger or older people, and those with weakened immune systems — it may require hospitalization.

Outbreaks in the United States have previously been linked to bagged salad mixes and kits, fresh cilantro and basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions, health officials said.