Cape Verde outbreak: the latest advice for holidaymakers after deadly stomach bug warning
The stomach illness is thought to be caused by the Shigella bacteria 🚨
- Four British tourists have died in the last year from stomach illnesses after travelling to Cape Verde.
- The UKHSA launched an investigation into the outbreak in December.
- The deaths are thought to be linked to the Shigella bacteria.
- Travel advice to Cape Verde has been updated.
Concern is growing for the safety of tourists travelling to Cape Verde, after four British holidaymakers died last year after contracting a stomach illness.
The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched an investigation into an outbreak of Shigella sonnei, following an increase in the number of cases in tourists returning from the island, with 137 reported cases between October 1 and December 22.
Of the 137 confirmed cases reported, 109 of these (94.0%) had travelled to Cape Verde, with the majority visiting the Santa Maria and Boa Vista areas.
Shigella sonnei is a gastrointestinal infection that can cause unpleasant symptoms, and in rare cases, serious or even deadly complications, including sepsis. The last confirmed outbreak in Cape Verde was in 2022.
Speaking about the outbreak, Professor Brendan Wren of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: “Outbreaks of Shigellosis has been occurring in quality hotels on Cape Verde for the past 3 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.”
What is Shigella?
Shigella is a gastrointestinal infection that can cause nasty symptoms and, in rare cases, serious complications. There has been an increase in cases of the strain Shigella sonnei (S. sonnei) in tourists returning from Cape Verde, with the UKHSA initiating an investigation into the outbreak in December.
It is highly contagious and can spread through contact with contaminated food or water, surfaces or faeces, as well as from person-to-person.
What are the symptoms of a Shigella infection?
Symptoms of a Shigella infection include severe diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. While most people will recover within a week, for older adults, those with weakened immune systems, medical conditions, who are pregnant and for children under five, there is a risk of serious complications, including sepsis.
What is the advice for holidaymakers?
The Foreign Office issued a warning about the increase in reports of shigella infections in tourists returning from Cape Verde in December.
These are the six steps recommended to tourists to prevent catching Shigella:
- Practice good food and water hygiene at all times, even in high-end, all-inclusive resorts.
- Wash your hands often, including before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, after changing nappies and before and after sex.
- Eat recently prepared food that is fully cooked and served piping hot.
- Where there is no clean water supply, drink only bottled or boiled tap water (this includes when brushing your teeth) and avoid ice in your drinks.
- Avoid fresh fruit that you have not peeled yourself and salads not washed with bottled or boiled water.
- Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes and untreated swimming pools.
There is no vaccination for Shigella; those at risk of becoming seriously unwell are advised to discuss their travel plans with a medical professional before travelling.
Shigella is not the only infection holidaymakers are being warned about. Find out the latest travel advice for anyone travelling to an area with Nipah virus.