Travel alert for UK tourists after dozens are struck down with vomiting bug spread by faeces-infected food and water at Mexican hotels
Resorts in the popular Riviera Maya and Cancun areas are reportedly handing hand sanitizers and latex gloves to disgruntled buffet diners
BRITISH holidaymakers travelling to Mexico have been issued a health warning after dozens of tourists were hit with a crippling food poisoning bug.
Several hotels in the popular Riviera Maya resort have been struck with the bug Cyclospora which is spread through food and water tainted by infected human poo and causes vomiting and painful diarrhoea.
Guests are now dropping like flies after eating the contaminated food at the hotel buffets – which are being equipped with hand sanitizers while disgruntled diners are being told to wear latex gloves.
The same area was ravaged by the Cyclospora last year where 79 Brits were diagnosed with the bug when they returned to the UK.
The hotels plagued with the debilitating illness include the Thomson run Catalonia Riviera Maya Resort & Spa and the Royalton Riviera Cancun.
Nick Harris Head of holiday claims at Simpson Millar solicitors said many holidaymakers are taking action against the hotels and travel companies.
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He said: “The phone has been ringing off the hook with people from across the UK contacting us who are quite rightly concerned about this outbreak.
"They have been suffering with constant sickness and diarrhoea and many of them have been confined to their rooms.
"So far we have been contacted by people from several hotels but I understand there to be others that are also affected. It seems this bug is linked to contaminated food.
“Health authorities are issuing warnings but with peak season and large crowds this bug has the potential to spread like wildfire. “
Health Protection Scotland have warned UK travellers to be wary of the outbreak which they say started in June.
In a statement posted on their website, they said : “Cases of infection with the diarrhoea causing parasite Cyclospora have continued to be reported by UK holidaymakers returning from Mexico.
“The majority of cases have stayed in all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya area.
"Clusters of cases started to be reported during June and July from this popular destination
“The source of infection is thought likely to be a foodstuff supplied to hotels. Investigation into this outbreak is ongoing.
“Awareness of the outbreak should be maintained and travellers to Mexico are strongly advised to maintain a high standard of food, water and personal hygiene.
"On return from Mexico, if you have any symptoms such as those described above you should seek medical attention and tell your GP about your travel history.”
A spokesperson for Thomson said: "We are aware of some reported sickness cases from Riviera Maya in Mexico.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and we are in direct contact with customers who have been in touch with us since their return."
Little boy killed by 'contaminated' slice of pizza in Mexico
A four-year-old boy in Mexico has died from eating a slice of pizza which health officials believe may have been contaminated.
Little Hugo Leonel had visited a restaurant, named Ciao, with his parents in a shopping centre in the city of Leon in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato.
Later that evening, all three felt violently sick and went to the nearby IMSS Guanajuato clinic the next morning after their condition had not improved.
Doctors gave Hugo a drip and paracetamol and then sent him back home.
After another night of discomfort, Hugo was rushed back to the clinic the next day after suffering convulsions
The tragic child’s heart stopped beating when he was carried through the doors of the medical centre.
His father, Hugo Elias Soto, said: "When we arrived at the hospital the doctor told me that my baby’s heart had stopped, although his lungs were still working."
It was later determined that the pizza was the cause of the illness.
Authorities believe a substance sometimes found in flour and dough could have been responsible, although the samples are still being studied.
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