The Mexican Ministry of Health is inspecting food and water at more than 12 hotels in Quintana Roo after British authorities reported cyclosporiasis cases in returning tourists.
The ministry announced that laboratory test results will be published once inspections are completed. Mexico has recorded 33 cyclosporiasis cases across various states, causing stomach disorders and severe diarrhea.
British traveler cases
According to the UK Health Security Agency, a parasite outbreak has spread in the United Kingdom following reports of illness in thousands of people across the Americas. Statistics published on July 31 show 67 cases in travelers returning to England, Wales, and Scotland between April 30 and July 15, 2026.
The British figures include 30 cases in England, 10 in Wales, and 27 in Scotland. Health officials noted this represents a sharp increase compared to previous years, when an average of 93 cases was recorded annually for the full year.
Cyclosporiasis infections cause unpleasant but non-life-threatening symptoms, including severe diarrhea and vomiting. Dr. Alejandro Macias, an epidemiologist at the University of Guanajuato in central Mexico, told The New York Times that a patient barely has time to reach the toilet.
Deaths reported in Michigan
Two people died in Michigan from the outbreak, marking the first confirmed deaths in the United States linked to the parasitic infection. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported both patients had underlying health conditions likely aggravated by intestinal illness and dehydration, without releasing details on their identity or age.
The infection is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which infects the intestine through contaminated food or water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated main symptoms include severe diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and fatigue.
Contaminated herbs, salads, and soft fruits are common sources of infection. Cyclosporiasis is not routine in the United Kingdom, and health authorities noted there is no risk of human-to-human transmission.
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