Shigella Outbreak in Cape Verde: Essential Travel Health Advice
The deaths of four British holidaymakers in Cape Verde over three months have heightened concerns about health and safety for travellers visiting the archipelago. While none tested positive for Shigella or other pathogens, these individuals, who had underlying health conditions, exhibited symptoms of gastric illness, sparking alarm.
Understanding the Shigella Threat
The UK Health Security Agency is investigating a rise in Shigella sonnei infections among travellers returning from Cape Verde since October 2025. Shigella bacteria cause severe diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps, spreading through contact with contaminated faeces directly or via food, water, or surfaces. Of 137 confirmed UK cases, 109 involved recent travel to Cape Verde as of December 2025, with similar reports in EU countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, France, and Ireland.
Most people recover within a week, but older adults, those with health conditions, pregnant women, and children under five face higher risks of complications such as sepsis. This follows a previous outbreak in 2022 affecting European travellers.
Expert Insights from a Travel Doctor
Dr Richard Dawood, a travel medical specialist at Fleet Street Clinic, emphasises that diarrhoeal diseases are common but can be highly disruptive. "Approximately two-fifths of travellers suffer from diarrhoea in hot countries," he notes, adding that prevention is key. "Vaccines are only part of the story. Travellers to destinations like Cape Verde need careful advice on hygiene, safe eating, and mosquito bite prevention."
He advises using hand sanitiser, selecting freshly cooked foods, and avoiding buffets. If illness occurs, focus on rehydration and symptom control, with antibiotics as a backup for severe cases. Upon return, seek diagnosis if symptoms persist, as delays can worsen outcomes.
Prevention Strategies for Travellers
There is no vaccine for Shigella, so good hygiene is crucial. The National Travel Health Network and Centre recommends:
- Discuss travel plans with a healthcare provider if immunosuppressed or visiting outbreak areas.
- Practice food and water hygiene: eat fully cooked, hot meals and wash hands frequently.
- Use bottled or boiled water for drinking and brushing teeth; avoid ice and unpeeled fruits.
- Steer clear of untreated water sources like ponds or lakes.
The Foreign Office warns that Cape Verde does not accept Global Health Insurance Cards, so insurance for local treatment or evacuation is essential, given basic medical facilities and medicine shortages.
What to Do If You Fall Ill Abroad
If unwell, drink safe fluids and use oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration. Seek early medical advice if at higher risk or if symptoms last more than a few days. Wash contaminated items on a hot cycle, clean surfaces regularly, and avoid sexual contact for 48 hours after diarrhoea. Upon returning to the UK, inform healthcare providers about recent travel.
Separately, Cape Verde has raised dengue warnings on islands like Santiago, Fogo, and Brava, underscoring the need for comprehensive travel health preparations.
