The UK Health Security Agency has launched a significant investigation following the tragic deaths of six British citizens who became seriously ill after holidays in Cape Verde. The government body confirmed on Tuesday that multiple cases have now been identified within the United Kingdom, prompting urgent public health warnings.
Tourist Tragedy and Legal Action
According to legal representatives, six British nationals have lost their lives since January 2023 following holidays in the popular tourist destination of Cape Verde. Alarmingly, four of these fatalities occurred within a concentrated four-month period from August to November 2025. Law firm Irwin Mitchell is currently representing more than 1,500 additional tourists who have reported becoming severely unwell after visiting the islands, indicating a potentially widespread health concern affecting British holidaymakers.
Official Health Alert and Investigation
In a formal alert issued on social media platform X this morning, the UKHSA stated: "We are currently investigating Shigella cases linked to travel to Cape Verde. Regular handwashing with soap and water (especially after the toilet, changing nappies, and before handling food) is the best way to prevent the bacteria from spreading."
Accompanying information revealed that most affected individuals had travelled to Cape Verde, predominantly staying at hotels in the Santa Maria and Boa Vista regions. The Shigella bacteria can cause severe symptoms including watery and bloody diarrhoea, intense stomach cramps, and fever. Transmission typically occurs through contaminated food or water, often associated with overseas travel, though sexual transmission is also possible.
Confirmed Cases and Expert Analysis
Between October 1 and December 22, 2025, health authorities confirmed 137 UK cases of Shigella infection, with 109 of these individuals having recently travelled to Cape Verde. Professor Brendan Wren, an expert in microbial pathogenesis at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, provided concerning context to the BBC, revealing that over 800 people have been affected by outbreaks in the past three years.
Professor Wren explained: "Outbreaks of shigellosis have been occurring in quality hotels on Cape Verde for the past three years, with over 800 people affected. The shigella bacteria that cause disease don't just cause nasty diarrhoea, there can be life-threatening complications, particularly for the immunocompromised."
Source Investigation and Travel Advice
The precise source of these persistent outbreaks remains undetermined, with responsibility for comprehensive investigation falling to local authorities and tour operators. Contaminated water sources, potentially from boreholes, have been identified as a possible transmission route.
Professor Wren has issued clear recommendations for travellers: maintain rigorous hand hygiene, consume only boiled or bottled water, and avoid eating washed salads that may have been prepared with contaminated water. These precautions are considered essential for reducing infection risk while the investigation continues to identify the exact contamination sources affecting British tourists in Cape Verde.
