Doctor’s advice following cases in Cape Verde
Four Britons died while on holiday in three months Cape Verde It has led to concerns about health and safety when traveling abroad.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched A statement in December It was stated that the UK Health Safety Agency is investigating the increase in reports of Shigella sonnei infection in passengers returning from Cape Verde.
There has been an increase in Shigella cases since October 1, 2025 infections Among people coming to the UK after holidays on the Cape Verde islands.
Shigella are bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
Infections are spread through direct person-to-person transmission or indirectly through contact with contaminated feces from food, water, or surfaces.
Announcement came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The deaths of four British holidaymakers made headlines After contracting serious stomach ailments during a trip to the Cape Verde Islands.
Four people with underlying health conditions showed symptoms of stomach disease, although none tested positive for Shigella or other pathogens.
It’s not uncommon to get sick while traveling abroad; and even travel medicine specialist Dr. Around two-fifths of people traveling to hot countries will suffer from diarrhoea, says Richard Dawood.
But last year’s deaths and reports of Shigella in Cape Verde have raised concerns about how to avoid illnesses, especially gastrointestinal viruses, when vacationing in warm climates.
What does a travel doctor say?
Dr Dawood explains that, despite how common it is, falling ill on holiday can be distressing.
“Many people think of diarrheal illnesses as something minor and insignificant. In these days when travel is so expensive, our free time is so precious that it can be extremely inconvenient,” he said. Independent.
Getting the right medical treatment recommendation This is vital, Mr. Dawood explains. Her practice offers health and wellness travel advice, as well as pre-packaged kits with all the essentials needed to help manage issues like diarrhea.
“A lot of people think all you have to do is go to the pharmacy and get a few jabs. Vaccinations are just part of the story. Anyone going to a destination like Cape Verde should be given really careful advice about hygiene and safe eating, preventing mosquito bites, and all the other advice that should be part of a proper consultation rather than just getting a few jabs,” he says.
The doctor added that while you’re away, the focus is on prevention. “You need to use things like hand sanitizer, hand wipes, and choose your food more carefully. Make sure you’re eating fresh and thoroughly cooked food.”
No matter how tempting a buffet may be, he adds, the safest way to eat in a hot country is with food cooked to order and served hot.
If you get diarrhea, the symptom that sends people to the hospital is usually vomiting and diarrhea, as well as dehydration due to heat.
Dr Dawood explains that the priority is to control symptoms, such as getting fluid back on board using oral rehydration and using an anti-nausea medication.
He adds that it is also useful to carry antibiotics in cases where treatment does not work or the disease is severe.
Dr. When you return home, Dawood says people need to get diagnosed and get the right treatment if they’re still experiencing symptoms.
“Unfortunately, people aren’t quite ready for this. They often wait until they get really sick before seeking treatment,” he says.
How many British holidaymakers visiting Cape Verde caught Shigella?
At the last report in December 2025, 109 of the 137 Shigella cases confirmed in the UK reported recent travel to Cape Verde.
Cases have also been observed in travelers returning from Cape Verde to four EU countries (Netherlands, Sweden, France and Ireland), mostly reported between September and November 2025.
The last official outbreak reported in Cape Verde was in 2022, and cases occurred in travelers from several European countries, including the United Kingdom.
Most people recover within a week; However, some older people, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and children under five may be at higher risk of complications, including sepsis.
Separately, the Cape Verdean government also raised the civil protection alert level for dengue fever on the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava.
How to prevent Shigella infections?
There is no vaccine to prevent Shigella infections; but good hygiene can reduce risks.
The UK’s National Travel Health Network and Center (NaTHNaC) advises travelers to discuss their travel plans with their healthcare professional if they have an underlying health condition or are immunocompromised and are planning to travel to a destination with a Shigella outbreak.
When traveling abroad, always practice good food and water hygiene, wash your hands frequently and eat food that is freshly prepared, fully cooked and served hot.
When a clean water source is not available, drink only bottled or boiled tap water (including when brushing your teeth) and avoid ice in your drinks.
Avoid fresh fruit that you have not peeled yourself and salads that have not been washed with bottled or boiled water.
Avoid swallowing waste from pools, lakes and untreated swimming pools.
The UK Foreign Office adds that Cape Verde does not accept Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC), so you must have insurance for local treatment or medical evacuation.
What should you do if you feel unwell abroad?
If you feel unwell while abroad, NaTHNaC advises you to drink plenty of “safe” fluids and use oral rehydration solutions to stay hydrated.
Seek medical help early if you are at higher risk of complications from Shigella infection, and if symptoms last more than a few days or do not improve.
It is also recommended to wash contaminated clothing or bedding in a hot wash and to clean toilets, taps and door handles regularly.
If you or your partner has diarrhea, avoid sexual contact for at least 48 hours.
If you feel unwell when you return to the UK, seek medical advice and tell your doctor or nurse about your recent travel.
The State Department also warns travelers that medical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited and that some medications are in short supply or unavailable.
Read more: Families of four Britons who died of stomach bugs in Cape Verde have taken legal action
