The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said Thursday that it has seen a sharp increase in cyclospora infections among travelers returning from Mexico and urged people to follow proper food and water safety measures while traveling abroad.
The agency said Cyclospora is a parasite that causes stomach illness, usually through contaminated food, and cannot spread from person to person. It said 67 cases were reported among travelers returning to England, Wales and Scotland between April 30 and July 15. By comparison, the annual average between 2022 and 2025 was 93 cases.
Travel information was available for 52 of the 67 patients. Of those, 48 had traveled to Mexico.
One person had visited both Mexico and the United States, one had traveled only to the United States, and another had been to Kenya.
The increase in U.K. cases comes as the United States is also dealing with a larger Cyclospora outbreak. Michigan alone has reported more than 10,000 cases.
U.S. health officials are investigating produce from central Mexico as a possible source of the outbreak. People infected with the Cyclospora parasite can develop watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss and a mild fever. Fresh herbs, salad vegetables and soft fruits are among the foods most commonly linked to the infection.
The UKHSA said many of the Mexico-related cases involved travelers who stayed at hotels in the Riviera Maya and Cancun areas and consumed food and drinks provided through all-inclusive vacation packages.
The agency said it expects more travel-related cases as summer travel to Mexico increases. It also warned that infections linked to travel to the United States could rise.
The UKHSA advised travelers to drink bottled water, eat thoroughly cooked food, and avoid uncooked berries, fresh herbs, unpeeled fruit and salads while traveling.
