British tourists have been warned that cases of an ‘explosive diarrhoea’ parasite are surging.
Holidaymakers have been falling ailing with the nasty infectious disease called cyclosporiasis.
The UKHSA said 67 cases have been reported since April, with a lot of them from Brits getting back from Mexico.
The gnarly infection has swept across america, infecting greater than 18,000 people across 45 states, although has died from it.
Resulting from 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 generally known as cyclosporiasis.
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The parasite can contaminate food like salads, herbs and soft fruits.
Experts have stressed that cyclospora is just not typically spread directly from individual to individual and doesn’t naturally occur within 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 may be travel information for 52 of those cases, with 48 reported having travelled in Mexico.
Many said that they had stayed within the beach resort area of Riviera Maya, or north of there in coastal Cancún.
The UKHSA said those affected reported staying in “a variety of various hotels and consuming a wide range of different foods and drinks inside their resort as a part of an all-inclusive holiday package”.
The agency can also be working with Mexican public health authorities to assist their investigations.
What are symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of infection can include frequent watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever, lack of appetite and weight reduction.
While cyclosporiasis is normally mild and most of the people improve typically in a number of days with none treatment, infections will be more serious or prolonged in people who find themselves immunocompromised and antibiotics could also be prescribed.
Tourists have been urged to avoid certain foods to chop 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 equivalent to fresh uncooked berries and herbs, unpeeled fruit and salad items.
‘Should you develop symptoms after getting back from travel, equivalent to watery diarrhoea, lack of appetite, weight reduction, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased wind, nausea, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention and inform your healthcare skilled of your travel history.’
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