HPR volume 10 issue 26: news (12 August)
Updated 16 December 2016
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1. Cyclospora outbreak related to travel to Mexico: an update
The cyclospora outbreak previously reported in the HPR on 5 August [1] is ongoing. As of 12 August 2016, 265 confirmed and probable cases of the infection have been reported in the United Kingdom since 1 June 2016. Travel to Mexico has been reported by 193 (73%) cases (87 in England, 94 in Scotland and 12 in the rest of the UK). Travel history is still pending for the remaining cases.
Cases have stayed at 24 different hotels and resorts in Mexico, but predominantly on the Riviera Maya coast of Mexico between Cancun and Tulum. Females represent 54% of all cases and the range of ages affected is 12-76 years (although most cases are adults). UK public health authorities have shared information with the Mexican authorities and the travel industry to support ongoing investigations in Mexico.
Further cases may be detected during the summer holiday period; it is recommended that cyclospora is considered as a possible cause of gastrointestinal infection in patients returning from Mexico. Cases should be reported to the local health protection team and a revised surveillance questionnaire is available to collect information on travel history and potential exposures.
Positive samples should be referred to the appropriate reference laboratory for confirmation: National Parasitology Reference Laboratory, Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London (England), the Scottish Parasite Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory in Glasgow (Scotland) or the Cryptosporidium Reference Unit in Swansea (Wales).
Health advice for travellers to Mexico, including advice on food and water hygiene, can be found on the NaTHNaC website.
Further information on cyclospora can be found on PHE’s Cyclospora: Clinical and Travel Guidance webpage. A Cyclospora Advice for Travellers infographic is also now available.
1.1 Reference
- Cyclospora outbreak related to travel to Mexico, HPR 10(25).
2. Infection reports in this issue of HPR
The following infection reports are published in this issue of HPR. The links below are to the relevant webpage collections or publications.