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During 2016 a total of 443 cases of Cyclospora infection were reported in UK travellers. Of these, 363 cases reported travel to hotels and resorts on the Riviera Maya and Cancun region coast. The source of infection was likely to contaminated food items supplied to hotels throughout the area.
Health care professionals should raise awareness of Cyclospora infection with all travellers to Mexico, and should strongly advise that travellers maintain a high standard of food, water and personal hygiene, even if staying in high-end resorts.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite that can infect humans and other primates. Infection can cause frequent, watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever, loss of appetite and weight. HIV positive individuals and those with other immune deficiencies can be at risk of more severe infection.
An advice sheet for travellers can be accessed via the following link:
Infection is transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or water, direct person to person spread does not occur. Foods often implicated in outbreaks include soft fruits like raspberries and salad products such as coriander, basil and lettuce.
Key points:
On return from Mexico, if travellers have any symptoms such as those described above they should seek medical attention and inform their GP of their travel history.
Protozoan parasitic infection (including Cyclospora) should be considered as a diagnosis in travellers returning from Mexico presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms. Stool sampling and testing should be carried out in the normal way through local laboratories, travel history should be included, and confirmed cases should be reported to the local health protection team.
Further information on Cyclosporiasis
