UK Health Authorities Issue Cape Verde Travel Warning After Multiple Illnesses
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a significant travel warning for Cape Verde following confirmation that more than 150 British holidaymakers have contracted serious gastrointestinal infections while visiting the popular winter sun destination. The alert comes after investigators identified concerning clusters of shigella and salmonella cases directly linked to travel to the islands off the west coast of Africa.
Multiple Fatalities and Widespread Illness Reported
Health authorities have confirmed that six British nationals have died after contracting stomach bugs while holidaying in Cape Verde since January 2023. Legal firm Irwin Mitchell is currently representing the families of these six deceased individuals alongside more than 1,500 people who have fallen ill following visits to the destination. Four of these tragic deaths occurred within just four months of each other.
Among those who lost their lives were 64-year-old Elena Walsh from Birmingham, 55-year-old Mark Ashley from Bedfordshire, 64-year-old Karen Pooley from Gloucestershire, and a 56-year-old man whose identity has not been fully disclosed. All four died last year after developing severe gastric illnesses while staying on the islands.
Specific Infection Clusters Identified
The UKHSA investigation has revealed particularly concerning patterns in infection rates. Since October 1st, 118 shigella cases linked to international travel have been reported, with a staggering 112 of those cases (representing 95%) involving people who had visited Cape Verde. The majority of these infections were concentrated in the Santa Maria and Boa Vista areas.
Furthermore, health officials have identified increases in salmonella cases among travellers returning from Cape Verde. Since October 1st, 43 cases of salmonella from three separate clusters have been linked to travel to the destination, with these clusters identified using sophisticated whole genome sequencing techniques.
Personal Tragedies Highlight Systemic Concerns
The human impact of these outbreaks is devastatingly clear in the personal stories emerging from affected families. Mark Ashley's wife Emma described her family being in "complete shock" over his death, stating they had expected a relaxing break but instead witnessed her husband becoming violently ill and never recovering. The self-employed forklift truck driver fell ill just three days into their October holiday, experiencing severe symptoms including stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and extreme lethargy.
Karen Pooley's husband Andy expressed profound grief, describing his wife as "the kindest, loveliest person" who was a devoted wife and mother. The retired mother-of-two had become sick during her holiday and subsequently suffered a fall on water leaking from a fridge while experiencing gastric symptoms. Despite being airlifted to Tenerife for urgent care, she tragically passed away.
Health Authority Guidance and Precautions
Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections and food safety at the UKHSA, emphasised the importance of taking precautions against traveller's diarrhoea and food poisoning. "Taking a few simple precautions against traveller's diarrhoea and food poisoning can make all the difference," she stated.
The UKHSA has provided specific guidance for travellers to Cape Verde, including:
- Choosing food that is freshly prepared, fully cooked and served piping hot
- Drinking only bottled or boiled water in areas without reliable clean water supply
- Avoiding ice in drinks and using safe water for brushing teeth
- Eating only fruit that you peel yourself
- Avoiding salads that may not have been washed in safe water
Dr Godbole further advised that regular and thorough hand washing with soap and water or alcohol gel represents the best way to avoid gastrointestinal infections like shigella and salmonella. She particularly emphasised the importance of hand hygiene after using the toilet, changing nappies, and before eating or preparing food.
Legal Action and Ongoing Concerns
Irwin Mitchell solicitors are pursuing personal injury claims for damages against Tui, the provider of many package holidays to Cape Verde, on behalf of all six families who have lost loved ones. Serious injury lawyer Jatinder Paul expressed unprecedented concern about the scale of the outbreaks, stating: "In my experience I'm used to supporting holidaymakers who have fallen ill at resorts across the globe, but I've never seen repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time."
A recent UKHSA study has identified several potential risk factors for infections in Cape Verde, including local swimming pools, local water sources, poor sanitary conditions, and possible infection from hotel buffets and excursions. These factors can increase the risk of contracting not only salmonella and shigella but also other gastrointestinal infections like giardia and cryptosporidium.
The UKHSA has updated its official travel advice on the Travel Health Pro website specifically for Cape Verde, urging holidaymakers to exercise particular caution when visiting the destination.
