US Cyclospora Outbreak Triggers Travel Alert for Mexico

The United States has reported a multi‑state outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, a parasite that causes severe watery diarrhoea. The CDC confirmed 1,645 laboratory‑confirmed cases across 34 states, with more than 400 cases concentrated in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. In response, Mexico’s federal health secretariat issued a medium‑level travel advisory, urging travellers to the United States to use hand‑sanitiser, wash hands frequently with soap and water, and avoid potentially contaminated food and water, especially in tropical or subtropical regions. The alert notes that infection is not spread directly from person to person and that no Cyclospora cases have yet been confirmed in Mexico.

Symptoms typically appear 2‑14 days after exposure and include profuse watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, gas, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and low‑grade fever. The advisory highlights that anyone can become infected, but risk is higher for those travelling to or living in regions where the parasite is endemic.