Huge increase in sickness bug cases linked with travel to Mexico
Health authorities in the UK say 73% of cases of the cyclospora sickness bug reported in the past two months are related to travel to Mexico.
Public Health England (PHE) and Health Protection Scotland (HPS) have been investigating an increase in cases of the infection in travellers who have recently returned from the country.
Between June 1 and August 5 2016, 204 confirmed and probable cases of cyclospora have been reported in the UK.
Of those 73% (148 cases) were associated with travel to Mexico, all linked to all-inclusive resorts mainly in the Riviera Maya region.
The figure could be higher, as 53 cases are still being investigated for their travel history. In addition, PHE says some other cases are not reported and not all people with symptoms are tested.
Cyclospora cayetanensis can cause diarrhoea, fatigue, muscle pain, weight loss, abdominal cramping, nausea and fever.
It is commonly acquired from contaminated food or water and authorities say the source is likely to be food supplied to hotels in the area. An investigation into the outbreak is ongoing.
PHE said: "Cases have stayed at 24 different hotels and resorts in Mexico, but predominantly on the Riviera Maya coast.
"Cases are equally distributed between males and females, and the range of ages affected is 12-76 years.
"UK public health authorities have shared information with the Mexican authorities and the travel industry to support investigations in Mexico."
The number of reported cases is rising, according to PHE, which says in recent years it has had reports of around 30 cases a year in the UK, with various tropical and subtropical countries of travel identified as the source.
Last year there were 79 cyclospora cases reported in UK travellers returning from Mexico between June 1 and September 22.
On its Fitfortravel website, HPS said: "Travellers to Mexico are strongly advised to maintain a high standard of food, water and personal hygiene, even if staying in high-end resorts."
Law firm Irwin Mitchell said it is representing a family who contracted the illness on a 2016 summer holiday in Mexico. It is also working on cases from 2015.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps