Surge in explosive diarrhoea infections linked to Mexico travel, UKHSA says

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By Daniel Pye

A sharp rise in an infection that causes "explosive" diarrhoea has been associated with travellers returning home from Mexico, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

Cyclospora, a parasite acquired through consumption of contaminated food, has been associated with dozens of patients returning from Mexico. It does not naturally occur in the UK.

While normally mild, patients who are immunocompromised may receive antibiotics. It comes as the United States deals with a widespread outbreak of the parasite, with nearly 2,000 cases linked to iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.

The latest data shared by the UKHSA shows that 67 cases have been reported in returning travellers in England (30 cases) Wales (10 cases) and Scotland (27 cases) between 30 April and 15 July 2026.

This is a sharp rise this year when compared to the annual average of 93 cases recorded between 2022 and 2025.

Out of the cases where there is travel information available, 48 said they travelled to Mexico, and another said they also went to the USA. One further case reported travel to the USA only, and one to Kenya.