After British Tourists Fall Ill, Riviera Maya Hotels Cleared

Mexico’s health regulator said Tuesday that food and water samples from 16 Riviera Maya hotels tested negative for the parasite behind a wave of “explosive diarrhea” cases reported among British tourists.

The Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), working with the Directorate General of Epidemiology, inspected the hotels — spread across Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum and Isla Mujeres — after the United Kingdom’s health security agency flagged a spike in cyclosporiasis among returning travelers. Field visits wrapped up Aug. 4.

The British agency had reported 67 cases of the illness in England, Wales and Scotland between April 30 and July 15. Of the 51 patients who provided travel history, 48 had recently visited Mexico, most commonly Cancún and the Riviera Maya. UK officials said the affected travelers stayed at a range of hotels and had not linked the outbreak to any single property or food item.

Inspectors collected 43 samples in total: 32 of fruits and vegetables from hotel buffet lines and eleven of drinking water. The samples were analyzed using real-time PCR testing at Cofepris’s national reference lab, following the U.S. Bacteriological Analytical Manual protocol. All came back negative for Cyclospora cayetanensis, and no other contamination markers were detected, the agency said in a statement.

Cofepris said the results show that, at the specific sites reviewed, sanitary controls and food-handling practices were operating within safety margins. The agency added that it will maintain ongoing surveillance and continue tracking the food supply chain.

Domestically, Mexican health authorities have confirmed 33 cyclosporiasis cases nationwide as of July 31 — a small fraction of the population and unconnected so far to any deaths. Health Secretary David Kershenobich has said there is no evidence to date tying the outbreak to Mexican-grown produce, noting that cyclosporiasis cases are recurrent worldwide.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite usually spread through contaminated produce or water. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, cramping, nausea and fatigue, and can persist for weeks without treatment. Travelers experiencing prolonged digestive symptoms after a trip to the region are advised to seek medical attention.

The scare comes as Yucatán’s own tourism numbers keep climbing; the state logged a 25% jump in foreign visitors last year, underscoring how much is riding on the region’s reputation for safety.

Fast Facts

• 16 hotels inspected in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum and Isla Mujeres
• 43 samples tested: 32 produce, 11 water
• All samples negative for Cyclospora cayetanensis
• UK reported 67 cases among returning travelers, April 30–July 15
• Mexico has confirmed 33 domestic cases as of July 31, no deaths

With reporting from Cofepris and Riviera Maya News