Mexico is tightening health surveillance at more than a dozen hotels in Cancún and the Riviera Maya after the United Kingdom reported dozens of cases of cyclosporiasis in travelers, most of whom had recently stayed at all‑inclusive resorts in the state of Quintana Roo.
At the same time, Mexican officials are saying the country is not facing a domestic outbreak, nor has it been identified as the source of more than 10,000 laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis cases reported in the U.S. and 67 infections in British travelers.
Mensaje del secretario de Salud, David Kershenobich:
Es importante mencionar que los casos de ciclosporiasis que existen actualmente en México representan el 0.00002% de la población, lo que significa que no tenemos un brote activo. pic.twitter.com/UN0wC6qmcH
— SALUD México (@SSalud_mx) August 6, 2026
The Health Ministry has confirmed 33 cases of cyclosporiasis in 13 Mexican states between May 25 and July 31 and opened investigations into possible links with U.S. and U.K. infection reports.
Health Minister David Kershenobich said in a video posted Thursday that detected cases represent just 0.00002% of Mexico’s population. He also stressed that Cyclospora cayetanensis infections “are recurrent worldwide” and that there is no scientific evidence to date that Mexico is the origin of the outbreak.
The ministry, working with the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) and the General Directorate of Epidemiology (DGE), has deployed five inspection teams to 16 hotels in Quintana Roo.
The inspections follows a July 30 UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) alert reporting 67 cyclosporiasis cases between April 30 and July 15, with 48 of 51 patients who provided travel information reporting trips to Mexico — mainly to the Riviera Maya and Cancún.
UKHSA said the affected travelers stayed in “a range of different hotels” and consumed varied food and drink in all‑inclusive packages — emphasizing that investigations have not identified any single hotel or product as the source.
In response, Mexican inspectors conducted field visits this week in Quintana Roo during which they collected samples of food, water, fruits and vegetables, according to a Ministry of Health press release.
Laboratory analyses are still in process and authorities say results will be released when testing is complete.
Meanwhile, Mexican authorities are cooperating with U.S. counterparts on a multistate outbreak that officials say has sickened more than 10,000 people and is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, grown in the central state of Guanajuato and distributed to Taco Bell and other outlets.
Product testing has not yielded any confirmed positive samples, though inspections are ongoing.
In tourist zones in Quintana Roo and elsewhere, Mexico’s Health Ministry has expanded surveillance, reinforced food safety protocols and reminded travelers and residents to wash and disinfect fruits and vegetables, drink potable water and seek medical attention for persistent diarrhea, especially after travel.
Officials also stress that identifying a country as a preliminary origin of a product under investigation “does not, in itself, constitute evidence that the contamination occurred in that place,” and say epidemiological work will continue until conclusive findings are available.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection usually acquired by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms include watery “explosive diarrhea,” stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue and low‑grade fever.
The 33 patients diagnosed in Mexico remain under observation; no deaths linked to the infection have been reported in Mexico.
With reports from El País, Infobae La Silla Rota and El Heraldo de México
