Shigella Outbreak in Cape Verde: Essential Travel Doctor Advice for UK Tourists
The deaths of four British holidaymakers in Cape Verde over a three-month period have heightened concerns about health and safety for travellers visiting the popular destination. In response, the Foreign Office has issued a statement noting that the UK Health Security Agency is investigating a surge in reports of Shigella sonnei infections among travellers returning from the islands.
Understanding the Shigella Threat
Since October 2025, there has been a marked increase in Shigella infections among individuals arriving in the UK after holidays in Cape Verde. Shigella bacteria are known to cause severe symptoms, including intense diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps. These infections spread primarily through contact with contaminated faeces, which can occur directly from person-to-person transmission or indirectly via contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
While the four deceased British tourists did not test positive for Shigella or other pathogens, they all exhibited symptoms of gastric illness and had underlying health conditions. This has underscored the risks associated with gastrointestinal viruses in hotter climates.
Expert Insights from a Travel Doctor
Dr Richard Dawood, a travel medical specialist at Fleet Street Clinic, emphasises that falling ill while abroad is distressingly common. "Approximately two-fifths of travellers will experience diarrhoea when visiting hot countries," he explains. However, he warns against underestimating the impact. "Many people view diarrheal diseases as minor, but with travel being expensive and leisure time precious, it can be highly disruptive."
Dr Dawood stresses the importance of seeking comprehensive medical advice before departure. "Vaccines are only part of the story. Travellers to destinations like Cape Verde need careful guidance on hygiene, safe eating practices, and mosquito bite prevention, rather than just relying on a few jabs," he says. His clinic offers pre-packed kits with essentials to manage issues like diarrhoea.
For prevention during travel, he advises: "Use hand sanitiser and wipes, choose food carefully, and ensure meals are freshly cooked and served hot. Avoid buffets, as freshly prepared dishes are safer." If illness strikes, dehydration is a key concern, so oral rehydration and symptom control, such as anti-nausea medication, are priorities. Carrying antibiotics can also be useful for severe cases.
Upon returning home, Dr Dawood urges travellers to seek diagnosis and proper treatment if symptoms persist, noting that many delay until they are seriously ill.
Current Case Numbers and Risks
As of December 2025, there have been 137 confirmed UK cases of Shigella, with 109 linked to recent travel to Cape Verde. Cases have also been reported in travellers from the Netherlands, Sweden, France, and Ireland, mainly between September and November 2025. The last major outbreak in Cape Verde was in 2022, affecting travellers from various European countries.
Most individuals recover within a week, but certain groups are at higher risk of complications like sepsis, including older adults, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and children under five. Additionally, the Cape Verde government has raised the civil protection warning level for dengue on islands such as Santiago, Fogo, and Brava.
Prevention Strategies for Travellers
There is no vaccine for Shigella, so good hygiene is crucial. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) recommends:
- Discuss travel plans with a healthcare provider if you have underlying health issues or are immunosuppressed.
- Practice consistent food and water hygiene: wash hands frequently, eat freshly cooked food served hot, and avoid ice in drinks.
- Drink only bottled or boiled water, including for brushing teeth, and avoid unpeeled fruit and salads not washed with safe water.
- Steer clear of swallowing water from ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.
The Foreign Office adds that Cape Verde does not accept Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC), so comprehensive travel insurance for local treatment or medical evacuation is essential, given that medical facilities are basic and some medicines are scarce.
What to Do If You Fall Ill Abroad
If you become unwell while travelling, NaTHNaC advises drinking plenty of safe fluids and using oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration. Seek early medical advice if you are at higher risk, or if symptoms persist for more than a few days without improvement.
Additional measures include washing contaminated clothing or bedding on a hot cycle, regularly cleaning toilets and handles, and avoiding sexual contact for at least 48 hours if diarrhoea occurs. Upon returning to the UK, inform healthcare providers about recent travel if you are unwell.
This guidance comes as families of the four Britons who died pursue legal action, highlighting the ongoing concerns over health safety in Cape Verde.
