23 September 2026: Cyclospora outbreak in the USA is over

On 11 September 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce is over. In 12,883 people in 21 different U.S. states, the parasite Cyclospora has been detected. It is likely that many more people became ill. Of these patients, 570 were hospitalized, and 2 people died.

17 August 2026: Rapid rise in Cyclospora infections in the UK after visiting Mexico

In recent months, a noticeable number of people in the United Kingdom have gotten sick from a Cyclospora cayetanensis infection after traveling to Mexico. This parasite is mainly found in tropical areas and can cause diarrhea.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported a total of 67 people with cyclosporiasis between April 30 and July 15, 2026. Travel history was known for 51 people; 48 of them had recently been to Mexico, mainly in the Riviera Maya and Cancun regions. In most cases, it involved people who had an all-inclusive hotel package. Such outbreaks among travelers in the summer are not uncommon, but the current number of reports in the UK is higher than normal.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is mainly spread through contaminated water or through fruits and vegetables that have come into contact with it. Direct person-to-person transmission doesn’t happen. The illness mainly causes watery diarrhea and stomach cramps. Usually, it goes away on its own, but people with weak immune systems can get more seriously ill or stay sick for longer.

In the Netherlands, the number of Cyclospora infections is not routinely tracked. In 2026, two Dutch laboratories have so far reported a total of 13 positive Cyclospora results; for four of these 13 people, it was known that they had recently been to Mexico.

Do you have prolonged diarrhea after staying in Mexico, the United States or (sub)tropical countries? Please contact your general practitioner.

10 August 2026: More infections with enterovirus D68

In the Netherlands, we are seeing earlier than usual more infections with enterovirus D68 in 2026.

Enterovirus D68 is a virus that mainly causes respiratory symptoms. Most of the time, the illness is mild, like a cold or the flu. Sometimes the virus can cause a more serious course, especially in people with a weak immune system. In rare cases, someone can suddenly become weak in their arms or legs (acute flaccid paralysis). This resembles the paralysis symptoms that can occur with polio.

What's notable in 2026?

• The first infections were already found in June.
• In July, 17 people with this virus were registered.
• So far in 2026, there have been a total of 19 patients with enterovirus D68 in the Netherlands.
• In other years, the peak usually started later, in the fall (September to November). Now the season seems to be starting earlier.

Do you have questions about cough or paralysis symptoms for yourself or someone around you? Please contact your doctor.

16 July 2026: Cyclosporiasis in the USA

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report a clear increase in cyclosporiasis in the United States. Between May 1 and July 15, 2026, 1,645 people with a confirmed Cyclospora infection have been reported, 141 of whom have been hospitalized. In addition, over 5,000 reports are still under investigation. A notably high number of patients have been reported in Michigan. The source of the outbreak is still unknown and is under investigation: one suspicion is lettuce from a particular supplier. This supplier is currently no longer delivering lettuce; no specific food product or supplier has yet been identified.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People usually become infected by eating contaminated vegetables, fruit, or herbs, or by drinking contaminated water. The main symptom is severe watery diarrhea. In the Netherlands, cyclosporiasis occurs mainly in people who have visited (sub)tropical areas. Do you have prolonged diarrhea after staying in the United States or (sub)tropical countries? Then contact your general practitioner.

19 June 2026: Skin infections caused by Dermatophilus congolensis in several European countries

The European Health Organisation ECDC has published a rapid risk assessment on reports of skin infections with Dermatophilus congolensis from several European countries. In this report, the ECDC concludes that the risk of this bacterium is small for the population. This is due to a small possibility of spreading and the mild symptoms if someone does become infected with this pathogen.

Source: ECDC

8 June 2026: Dermatophilus congolensis skin infections in France and Spain

In France and Spain, several skin infections caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis were reported between December 2025 and March 2026. The infections occurred in men having sex with men.

The Dermatophilus bacterium can cause the disease dermatophilosis. Dermatophilosis is a zoonosis. This means that the disease occurs in animals and is sometimes transmitted from animals to humans. This type of infection is rare. The fact that the bacterium can also be transmitted from human to human by direct (sexual) physical contact had not been described before. 

The symptoms in people infected with dermatophilosis are usually mild. A skin rash develops, such as bumps, blisters and scabs. The infection can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Dermatophilosis is not a notifiable disease in the Netherlands. It is therefore difficult to say whether it also occurs in the Netherlands and whether sexual transmission takes place. So far, data from medical laboratories have provided no indication of problematic spread.