Recommended
The Mexican Ministry of Health has issued a preventive travel advisory for those planning to travel to the United States due to a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, which has resulted in at least 1,645 confirmed cases across 34 states in the neighboring country.
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Through an epidemiological surveillance statement, Mexican authorities classified the risk as medium level and recommended that travelers exercise extreme hygiene measures, especially regarding the consumption of food and water, as the source of infection has not yet been identified with certainty.
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Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is primarily transmitted through the consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal matter.
According to the warning, infected individuals shed the parasite through their stool, which can lead to the contamination of food products and water sources.
Health authorities noted that the current outbreak particularly affects four states in the U.S. Midwest: Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, where more than 400 cases have been recorded.
Although anyone can contract the disease, the Mexican Ministry of Health warned that the risk is higher for those who live in or travel to tropical and subtropical regions.
Furthermore, it reminded that a person can be infected more than once and that some cases may be asymptomatic.
The most frequent symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience vomiting, fever, and respiratory symptoms.
Signs of the disease usually appear between two days and more than two weeks after exposure to the parasite.
As a preventive measure, authorities recommended that travelers wash their hands frequently with soap and water or antibacterial gel, consume only bottled, boiled, or treated water, and avoid raw or undercooked foods, especially salads and fresh produce that may have been washed with contaminated water.
They also suggested prioritizing formal dining establishments and reducing consumption at street food stalls.
The agency also requested monitoring one's health status for up to two weeks after the trip and seeking immediate medical attention in case of prolonged or watery diarrhea, informing the physician of the travel history to the U.S.
The advisory comes during the peak summer vacation season, when the flow of people between Mexico and the United States increases. EFE
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