Tourists coming down with severe sickness bug after travelling to Mexico

A link has been made with a severe sickness bug known as cyclospora, and travelling to Mexico.

PHE (Public Health England) and HPS (Health Protection Scotland) are investigating the sudden increase of the bug, after British health authorities said that 73% of British cases have been connected with travel to Mexico.

The sickness, which is usually caught from food or water that has previously been contaminated by human faeces, is only a threat to people travelling to more tropical locations including Mexico, The Caribbean, and The Far East.

Around 500,000 Brits travel to Mexico each year.

One family from Sheffield claimed that their family holiday to Riviera Maya in Mexico was ruined because of the bug. The Barracloughs, who returned from their family trip in June, continued to suffer from the symptoms after returning.

Mother, Sarah Barraclough said: “The fact the kids also got ill just added to injury and we want to know what caused our illness.

“We have real concerns about the standards of the hotel in general, as well as the food hygiene practices in place there.”

Mrs Barraclough continued: “We are still not 100 per cent and simply wish we’d never gone on this holiday as it was a complete nightmare and we’d never knowingly put the health of our children at risk.”

As some families have decided to take legal action on their tour operators used for the holidays where they caught the bug, a spokeswoman for Thomson commented: “TUI UK and Ireland has been advised a number of sickness cases associated with an issue called cyclospora in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico.

“There is not a particular hotel, hotel chain or tour operator implicated and the source of the infection is still being investigated.

“We are working with relevant partners and authorities both in Mexico and the UK to ensure customer well-being and to investigate the matter.

“While the cases that we are aware of involve several different hotels suggesting the source is likely to be a foodstuff that has been distributed to hotels within the region, we always encourage customers to follow guidance from official health bodies such as the NHS and NaTHNaC, which have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.”

The main symptom of the sickness is Diarrhoea, however other symptoms the NHS suggest can include:

1. - Bloating
2. - Loss of weight
3. - Tiredness
4. - Nausea
5. - Stomach cramps or pains
6. - An increase in flatulence
7. - Loss of appetite

If you have recently returned from Mexico and are suffering from some of these symptoms, then it is strongly advised that you see your GP.

Further updated information on cyclospora can be found on the NHS’ Fit For Travel Page here: http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/news/

Published 01 Aug 2016

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