Is it safe to travel to Cape Verde? Foreign Office issues warning on Shigella sonnei infection after Brit holidaymakers die

Concerns have been raised regarding health and safety in Cape Verde following the deaths of four British holidaymakers from gastric illness and an increase in Shigella infections among returning travellers. The Foreign Office released a statement in December that the UK Health Security Agency is investigating an increase in reports of Shigella sonnei infection in travellers returning from Cape Verde.

Since 1 October 2025, there has been a rise in Shigella infections among people arriving in the UK following holidays on the Cape Verde islands. Shigella are bacteria that can cause severe diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps.

The infections are spread by contact with contaminated faeces either directly through person-to-person transmission, or indirectly from food, water, or surfaces. The Foreign Office notice comes as the deaths of four British holidaymakers made headlines after contracting severe stomach bugs while on trips to Cape Verde.

While none of them tested positive for Shigella or other pathogens, the four people, who also had underlying health conditions, showed symptoms of gastric illness. The Foreign Office does not advise against travel to Cape Verde, but it does advise holidaymakers to know about the health risks they may face surrounding Shigella.

Of the 137 confirmed UK cases of Shigella, 109 reported recent travel to Cape Verde, as of the most recent report in December 2025. Cases have also been observed in travellers returning from Cape Verde to four EU countries – the Netherlands, Sweden, France and Ireland – mainly reported between September and November 2025.

The last official outbreak reported in Cape Verde was in 2022, with cases occurring in travellers from a number of European countries, including the UK. Most people recover within a week; however, some older people, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and children under five may be at greater risk of complications, including sepsis.

There is no vaccine to prevent Shigella infections; however, good hygiene can lower the risks. The UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) advises travellers to discuss travel plans with their healthcare provider if they have an underlying health condition or are immunosuppressed, and plan to travel to a destination with a Shigella outbreak.

While travelling abroad, practice good food and water hygiene at all times, wash your hands often and eat recently prepared food that is fully cooked and served piping hot. Where there is no clean water supply, drink only bottled water 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 not washed with bottled or boiled water. Avoid swallowing waste from ponds, lakes and untreated swimming pools.

The UK’s 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. It also warns travellers that medical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable.