Get you up to speed: British tourists warned of parasite living on salads that gives you ‘explosive diarrhoea’ | News World
British tourists have been advised of a surge in cases of cyclosporiasis, an infectious disease caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, with 67 cases reported by the UK Health Security Agency since April. Most of those affected have recently returned from Mexico, particularly the Riviera Maya region and Cancún.
As of now, 67 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in the UK since April, with 30 in England, 27 in Scotland, and 10 in Wales. The UK Health Security Agency is collaborating with Mexican public health authorities to investigate the outbreak’s origins, which remain unclear due to the parasite’s complex tracing challenges.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported 67 cases of cyclosporiasis, with many linked to British tourists returning from Mexico, and has urged affected individuals to seek medical attention. Dr Philip Veal advised travellers to adhere to strict food and water hygiene measures, particularly avoiding fresh uncooked foods, to mitigate the risk of infection.
What remains unclear — The specific source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting returning British tourists has not been identified.
British tourists warned of rising cyclosporiasis infections linked to salads
The infection has swept through the US and now affects Brits returning from Mexico (Picture: Getty Images)
British tourists have been warned that cases of an ‘explosive diarrhoea’ parasite are surging.
Holidaymakers have been falling ill with the nasty infectious disease called cyclosporiasis.
The UKHSA said 67 cases have been reported since April, with many of them from Brits returning from Mexico.
The gnarly infection has swept across the United States, infecting more than 18,000 people across 45 states, although has died from it.
Due to the difficult nature of tracing this specific parasite, the origin of the outbreak has remained largely a mystery.
Cyclospora cayetanesis is a parasite that infects the small intestine and causes an illness known as cyclosporiasis.
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The Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite which has caused thousands to fall ill (Picture: US CDC)
The parasite can contaminate food like salads, herbs and soft fruits.
Experts have stressed that cyclospora is not typically spread directly from person to person and doesn’t naturally occur in the UK.
IN the last fourth months, 30 cases of cyclosporiasis has been reported in England, alongside 27 in Scotland and 10 in Wales, the UKHSA said.
There is travel information for 52 of these cases, with 48 reported having travelled in Mexico.
Many said they had stayed in the beach resort area of Riviera Maya, or north of there in coastal Cancún.
The UKHSA said those affected reported staying in “a range of different hotels and consuming a variety of different food and drink within their resort as part of an all-inclusive holiday package”.
The agency is also working with Mexican public health authorities to help their investigations.
What are symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of infection can include frequent watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.
While cyclosporiasis is usually mild and most people improve typically in a few days without any treatment, infections can be more serious or prolonged in people who are immunocompromised and antibiotics may be prescribed.
Lettuce has been suggested as one of the possible causes of the outbreak (Picture: Shutterstock/ sahinside)
Tourists have been urged to avoid certain foods to cut their risk of catching the parasite.
Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Travel Health at UKHSA, said: ‘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.’
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