Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Health officials in the state of Quintana Roo are looking into the origin of Cyclospora cases. Nearly 50 UK visitors to Cancun and Riviera Maya have reported falling ill.
Following health reports, the UK Health Secretary Agency (UKHSA) has published new data showing the sharp rise in Cyclospora infections among travelers returning from Mexico.
According to the UK’s government agency, a total of 67 cases have been reported. Of those, 48 were travelers returning from Mexico.
The UK Health Secretary says the 67 cases, which have been reported between England, Scotland and Wales, have been recorded between April 30 and July 15 of this year.
“We have recently detected a rise in Cyclospora infections among travelers returning from Mexico. These infections are caused by a parasite and can affect the stomach and intestines,” said Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Travel Health at UKHSA.
“Travellers to Mexico and other areas where the infection is more common can reduce their risk by following good food and water hygiene measures.”
Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama said after learning of the UK reports, her government established communication with federal authorities to request the intervention of specialists.
She said personnel from the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks and the Epidemiology area of the Government of Mexico will conduct health reviews in the state.
Governor Lezama explained that the objective is to establish whether the infections occurred in Quintana Roo or whether they could have been from other destinations visited by the tourists before or after their stay in the Cancun, Riviera Maya regions.
Lezama said it is important not to draw conclusions until the epidemiological analysis is complete and accurate information is available on the background of each case.
To date, it has not been officially confirmed that the infections originated in Cancun or the Riviera Maya, so the investigations remain open.
On July 30, the UKHSA published data showing a sharp rise in Cyclospora infections among travelers returning from Mexico. They are advising all travelers to take precautions when travelling abroad, including maintaining good food and water hygiene to reduce their risk of infection.
“Cyclospora is a parasite that causes explosive diarrhea. Contaminated food specifically herbs, salad and soft fruit are common sources of outbreaks and infections,” the agency reported in a statement.
“Infection is acquired via consumption of contaminated food. Cyclospora doesn’t naturally occur in the UK and there is no risk of spread from person to person,’ they added.
“The latest data, published July 30 shows that 67 cases have been reported in returning travelers in England (30 cases) Wales and (10 cases) Scotland (27 cases) between 30 April and 15 July 2026.”
The UKHSA considers the current figures to be “a sharp rise this year when compared to the annual average of 93 cases recorded between 2022 and 2025.
“Travel information is available for 52 out of the 67 cases; of these, 48 reported travel to Mexico, with one also reporting travel to the USA. One further case reported travel to the USA only, and one to Kenya.
Among those who travelled to Mexico, cases reported staying at a range of different hotels in the Riviera Maya and Cancun regions and consuming a variety of food and drink as part of all-inclusive holiday packages. Further investigations around the cases are ongoing.
“UKHSA anticipates a continued rise in travel-associated cases linked to increased summer travel to Mexico and a potential increase in cases linked to travel to the USA, where a widespread outbreak has been reported.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1,900 cases of Cyclospora infections have been reported since mid-July.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora.
The CDC says as of July 24, 1,947 cases of Cyclosporiasis has been confirmed across nine U.S. states.
Initially, it was believed iceberg lettuce was the source, however, authorities have since said those test results produced a false positive and that the investigation into the official source of the parasite remains open.
