Cyclospora: what it is, and how can you protect yourself when travelling? 

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/30/cyclospora-what-it-is-and-how-can-you-protect-yourself-when-travelling/ Every summer, a small but steady number of UK travellers return from holidays abroad with an unwelcome souvenir: a parasitic infection that can leave them dealing with unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms for weeks. This summer we’ve seen a sharp rise in illness caused by cyclospora. What is cyclospora? Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes an illness called cyclosporiasis. It doesn't occur naturally in the UK, but is found in a number of tropical and subtropical countries, including parts of Central and South America, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. For UK travellers, most cases in recent years have been linked to visits to Mexico. The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with infected human poo. It's most commonly associated with fresh produce, particularly soft or unpeeled fruit, salad leaves, and herbs such as coriander or basil, though contaminated water can also be a source. Cyclospora is not passed from person to person through everyday contact, so you won’t catch it from someone who is unwell. What are the symptoms? Sym...