Health authorities have raised concern for British travelers heading to Cape Verde due to more than 150 UK citizens falling ill with infections causing severe symptoms like diarrhea, high temperatures, and abdominal pain. Multiple British tourists have lost their lives after contracting gastric illnesses while vacationing in Cape Verde, a popular destination for winter getaways among UK visitors. Investigations by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have identified cases of shigella and salmonella linked to trips to Cape Verde.
Collaborating with other public health organizations, the UKHSA found that out of 118 shigella infections reported since October 1 related to international travel, the majority, around 95%, had visited Cape Verde, particularly the Santa Maria and Boa Vista regions. Furthermore, there has been a noticeable increase in salmonella cases among individuals who have traveled to Cape Verde, with 43 infections linked to three separate outbreaks identified through genetic sequencing methods.
Irwin Mitchell law firm is representing the families of six deceased individuals and over 1,500 people who fell ill after their trips to Cape Verde. Among the casualties were four British nationals who passed away within a four-month period due to gastric infections contracted during their stays. Dr. Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections and food safety at the UKHSA, emphasized the importance of taking precautions against traveler’s diarrhea and food poisoning by practicing good hygiene habits, especially handwashing.
Recent research by the UKHSA has highlighted that factors such as hotel swimming pools, local water quality, inadequate hygiene facilities, and contaminated food sources can heighten the risk of infections like salmonella, shigella, giardia, and cryptosporidium. The affected individuals include Elena Walsh, Mark Ashley, Karen Pooley, and another unnamed man, who tragically lost their lives due to severe gastric infections during their visits to Cape Verde.
The victims’ families are pursuing compensation claims against Tui, the company that arranged their travel packages to Cape Verde. The UKHSA has updated its travel guidance for Cape Verde, advising travelers to choose freshly prepared, thoroughly cooked food and avoid consuming untreated water and risky food items. Precautions such as hand hygiene and careful food selection are crucial in preventing gastrointestinal infections common in such destinations.
Shigella and salmonella are known to cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and can be contracted from contaminated sources. Travelers are urged to follow strict hygiene practices and adhere to safety recommendations to minimize the risk of infection during their trips.