Federal Health Inspectors Sent to Quintana Roo Hotels Linked to UK Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Mexico’s federal Health Secretariat has dispatched inspectors to tourist establishments in Quintana Roo linked to an outbreak of intestinal illness among British visitors.

The agency said the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris), the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) and the General Directorate of Epidemiology are carrying out verification visits at the properties involved in the reported cases.

The inspections follow a communication from UK health authorities to Mexico’s National Focal Point for the International Health Regulations. The UK reported that between April 30 and July 15, 48 tourists from England, Wales and Scotland contracted cyclosporiasis after visiting Cancún and the Riviera Maya. The stomach disease, caused by the parasite Cyclospora and sometimes called “explosive diarrhea,” has been linked to consumption of raw fruits and vegetables at luxury all-inclusive hotels.

In response, Mexican health officials said the inspections at the implicated establishments began immediately.

The Health Secretariat reiterated that testing by Mexican and US authorities has not detected Cyclospora cayetanensis in samples collected in either country. It added that Cofepris’s investigation is being conducted in line with international protocols and standards to ensure the technical integrity and traceability of the results.