Widow fears ex-Royal Navy husband is fifth UK victim of Cape Verde gastric illness outbreak
A widow from County Durham fears her ex-Royal Navy husband is the latest British victim of a gastric illness outbreak in Cape Verde, which has already claimed the lives of four other UK holidaymakers. The outbreak, linked to the Shigella bacteria, has affected over 1,500 Britons since October, raising serious concerns about hygiene standards on the islands.
Details of the outbreak and previous fatalities
Between August and November last year, four British tourists died after contracting a gastric illness while visiting the African archipelago. The victims include Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham, Karen Pooley, 64, Mark Ashley, 55, and a 52-year-old father of two from Chester. All had stayed at hotels within the five-star Riu chain in Cape Verde.
Now, a potential fifth victim has emerged. The widow of a 52-year-old retired firefighter, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported that her husband's death sounded like "a carbon copy" of the earlier cases. He fell ill during a family holiday to the islands and died months later. Speaking from their home in County Durham, she said: "We're still in complete shock over his death. My husband was my soulmate and an absolutely wonderful, loving and caring dad. We never imagined that going on what we thought would be an enjoyable holiday would lead to such traumatic events unfolding."
Investigation and findings
Researchers, including two from the World Health Organisation, conducted a month-long investigation into the outbreak. They discovered Shigella bacteria in irrigation water used to wash food, as well as on some imported food. Shigella can cause potentially life-threatening dysentery and is highly contagious, requiring only a small number of bacteria to cause infection.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found that 112 out of 118 Shigella cases reported between October 2025 and February 2026 were linked to tourists who had visited Cape Verde. Despite this, Cape Verdean officials acknowledged some infections but stated that positive samples fell within surveillance parameters, not constituting an official outbreak.
Personal accounts and legal actions
The retired firefighter and his family had paid £6,500 for a week's package holiday with Tui, staying at the Riu Palace Santa Maria from August 11. On the third day, he began experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. His symptoms persisted after returning home on August 18, leaving him housebound for two months with severe swelling and weight loss. He died on November 2, with doctors recording multi-organ failure and alcohol-related liver disease as causes, though no post-mortem was conducted.
Other victims include Mark Ashley, who died four weeks after returning to the UK, and Elena Walsh, who died in Cape Verde. Both had gastroenteritis listed on their death certificates. Additionally, Jane Pressley, 62, from Gainsborough, died in January 2023, and another unnamed man in his 60s died in November 2024. Their families are investigating potential links to the Shigella outbreak.
A High Court case involving 300 claimants related to illness after visiting Cape Verde is underway, with over 1,700 other holidaymakers instructing lawyers to investigate since 2022. Jatinder Paul, an expert international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, warned: "The effects of gastric illness should never be downplayed as symptoms can lead to life-long and debilitating complications and even death."
Recommendations and responses
Authorities have issued recommendations to businesses in Cape Verde, including strengthening disinfection processes for fresh produce and intensifying inspections. Paul advised travellers to eat fully cooked meals, peel fruits, and avoid raw vegetables and salads.
Tui declined to comment without customer details, and Riu has been contacted for a statement. The widow urged awareness: "I wouldn't want anyone else to suffer the same experience. People need to be aware of the issues hundreds of holidaymakers to Cape Verde are facing."
