Mexico rules out Cyclospora parasite in 16 Riviera Maya hotels after UK alert

Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) has announced that tests on samples from 16 hotels in the Riviera Maya found no trace of the Cyclospora parasite. This investigation was prompted by an alert from the United Kingdom regarding a rise in Cyclospora infections among travelers who had visited the popular Mexican Caribbean tourist destination.

Following the UK's notification on July 30, Cofepris, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Epidemiology, initiated surveillance measures. They collected 43 samples, including 32 from fruits and vegetables served at hotel buffets and 11 from drinking water sources. These samples underwent rigorous analysis, including microbiological, physicochemical, and real-time PCR molecular testing.

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Cofepris assured that all analyzed products tested negative for Cyclospora cayetanensis and that no contamination indicators were found.

The results from Cofepris's laboratory indicated that all analyzed products tested negative for Cyclospora cayetanensis. Furthermore, no other contamination indicators were detected. The agency stated that these findings demonstrate that sanitary control and handling procedures at the specific locations examined were operating within safety margins.

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The review Mexican occurs after the United Kingdom's Health Security Agency (UKHSA) notified on July 30 an increase in Cyclospora infections among travelers who had returned from Mexico.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had reported 67 cases of cyclosporiasis between April 30 and July 15, with a significant majority of affected travelers having visited Mexico. The UKHSA noted that these travelers stayed in various hotels across the Riviera Maya and Cancun, consuming food and beverages within all-inclusive resorts. Cyclospora, a parasite transmitted through contaminated food or water, can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other gastrointestinal issues.

Cofepris affirmed its commitment to ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the food chain to prevent future risks. The agency also highlighted that seasonal outbreaks linked to travelers from Mexico have been observed since 2015, with exceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. The UKHSA continues to advise strict adherence to food and water hygiene measures.

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Cyclospora is a parasite that can be transmitted through contaminated food or water and cause frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, loss of appetite and weight, among other symptoms.