#UK, Sharp rise in #cyclospora #infections linked to #Mexico #travel (UKHSA, July 31 '26)

 

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published new data showing a sharp rise in cyclospora infections among travellers returning from Mexico.

    UKHSA is advising all travellers to take precautions when travelling abroad including maintaining good food and water hygiene to reduce their risk of infection.

    Cyclospora is a parasite that causes explosive diarrhoea. Contaminated food specifically herbs, salad and soft fruit are common sources of outbreaks and infections. Infection is acquired via consumption of contaminated food. Cyclospora doesn’t naturally occur in the UK and there is no risk of spread from person to person.

    Symptoms of infection can include frequent watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. While cyclosporiasis is usually mild and most people improve typically in a few days without any treatment, infections can be more serious or prolonged in people who are immunocompromised and antibiotics may be prescribed.

    The latest data, published today, shows that 67 cases have been reported in returning travellers in England (30 cases) Wales and (10 cases) Scotland (27 cases) between 30 April and 15 July 2026; a sharp rise this year when compared to the annual average of 93 cases recorded between 2022 and 2025.

    Travel information is available for 52 out of the 67 cases; of these, 48 reported travel to Mexico, with one also reporting travel to the USA. One further case reported travel to the USA only, and one to Kenya.

    Among those who travelled to Mexico, cases reported staying at a range of different hotels in the Riviera Maya and Cancún regions and consuming a variety of food and drink as part of all-inclusive holiday packages. Further investigations around the cases are ongoing.

    UKHSA anticipates a continued rise in travel-associated cases linked to increased summer travel to Mexico and a potential increase in cases linked to travel to the USA, where a widespread outbreak has been reported.

    Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Travel Health at UKHSA, said:

        ''We have recently detected a rise in Cyclospora infections among travellers returning from Mexico. These infections are caused by a parasite and can affect the stomach and intestines.

        ''Travellers to Mexico and other areas where the infection is more common can reduce their risk by following good food and water hygiene measures, including drinking bottled water and eating thoroughly cooked food, even when staying in high-end all-inclusive resorts. We also advise avoiding certain foods such as fresh uncooked berries and herbs, unpeeled fruit and salad items.

        ''If you develop symptoms after returning from travel, such as watery diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, bloating, increased wind, nausea, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention and inform your healthcare professional of your travel history.

        ''The TravelHealthPro website has more information on the steps you can take to keep yourself and your family well.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sharp-rise-in-cyclospora-infections-linked-to-mexico-travel

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#UK [#Scotland] - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (Inf. with) (#poultry) - Immediate notification

 

{Scotland}

A small commercial poultry premise. Samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Birds presented clinical signs prior to testing.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7173

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#UK {#Scotland} - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

 

~155K laying chickens’ flock. Samples taken were positive for HPAI H5N1. Birds presented clinical signs prior to testing.

Source: 

Link: https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7139

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#UK - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

 

{Scotland}

Broiler breeder flock of 28-week-old birds. Increased mortality and other clinical signs reported. Samples taken were found positive for HPAI H5N1.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7013

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#UK - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

{Scotland, Aberdeenshire} Commercial layer flock with approx. 88,000 laying hens. Increased mortality and other clinical signs reported. Samples taken were found positive for HPAI H5N1.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6695

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#UK - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

{Highland Scotland} Flock of 23 chickens and 4 goose. Increased mortality reported. Samples taken were found positive for HPAI H5N1.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6357

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#UK - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

{Scotland} Backyard flock with 6 hens, approximately 5 months old. Increased mortality and other clinical signs reported. Official samples were H5N1 HPAI positive.

Source: WOAH, https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6186

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Asymptomatic #infection and #antibody #prevalence to co-occurring avian #influenza viruses vary substantially between sympatric #seabird species following #H5N1 #outbreaks

Abstract

Emerging infectious diseases are of major concern to animal and human health. Recent emergence of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) (H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b) led to substantial global mortality across a range of host species. Co-occurring species showed marked differences in mortality, generating an urgent need for better epidemiological understanding within affected populations. We therefore tested for antibodies, indicative of previous exposure and recovery, and for active viral infection in apparently healthy individuals (n = 350) across five co-occurring seabird species on the Isle of May, Scotland, during 2023, following H5N1 HPAIV associated mortality in the preceding summer. Antibody prevalence to AIV subtypes varied substantially between species, ranging from 1.1% in European shags (Gulosus aristotelis) (to H5) to 78.7% in black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) (to H16 or both H13 and H16), and between 31 and 41% for three auk species (H5, H16 or both). At least 20.4% of auks had antibodies to an as yet unidentified subtype, suggesting further subtypes circulating in the population. We found low levels of active, but asymptomatic, AIV infection in individuals (1.6–4.5%), but excluded this as H5N1. Our results emphasise the importance of testing healthy individuals to understand the prevalence of co-circulating AIV subtypes in wild populations, and the potential for future reassortment events which could alter virus behaviour and impact.

Source: Scientific Reports, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-85152-6

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