Cape Verde Stomach Bug 2026 Is It Safe to Travel? Full Guide for UK Holidaymakers
Over 1,000 tourists have been struck down by a serious stomach bug at Cape Verde resorts since 2022 — and new cases are still being reported in March 2026. Six British holidaymakers have died. Here's everything you need to know before you travel.
More than 1,000 tourists have been struck down by serious stomach infections linked to Cape Verde resorts since 2022. Six British holidaymakers have died. New cases were still being reported as of March 24, 2026. Here's everything UK travellers need to know.
⚠️ Current Status — March 2026
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published an updated epidemiological alert on 18 March 2026 confirming the outbreak is ongoing. New cases are still being reported. The source of infection has not been identified. The ECDC rates the risk of new infection for travellers visiting the Santa Maria region of Sal island as moderate.
The UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel to Cape Verde, but strongly recommends all travellers take precautions.
What Exactly Is Making Tourists Ill?
Two main bacterial infections are involved in the Cape Verde outbreak:
1. Shigella sonnei (the primary concern)
Shigella is a highly contagious gut bacteria that causes shigellosis — a severe form of dysentery. It spreads via contaminated food, water, surfaces, or direct contact with infected faeces. It has a very low infectious dose, meaning only a tiny amount is needed to cause illness.
Symptoms include: severe diarrhoea (often bloody), fever, stomach cramps, and nausea. Most people recover within a week, but serious complications including sepsis can occur, particularly in vulnerable groups.
2. Salmonella
Three separate clusters of Salmonella have also been linked to Cape Verde travel since October 2025, including Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Virchow. Salmonella causes similar symptoms and spreads primarily through contaminated food.
| Infection | Main symptoms | Incubation | Typical recovery | High risk groups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shigella sonnei | Bloody diarrhoea, fever, cramps | 1–3 days | 1 week (most cases) | Elderly, immunocompromised, under 5s, pregnant |
| Salmonella | Diarrhoea, vomiting, fever | 6–72 hours | 4–7 days (most cases) | Same as above |
Where in Cape Verde Is Affected?
The outbreak is centred on the Santa Maria area on the island of Sal — the most popular destination for UK package holiday travellers — and also the Boa Vista area. Most cases have been traced to all-inclusive resort hotels in these regions.
Investigations by the ECDC and UKHSA have identified that most affected travellers stayed at the same hotel chain in the Santa Maria region. The source of contamination — whether water supply, food handling, or both — has not yet been confirmed despite over three years of ongoing investigation.
Who Has Been Affected?
Since the outbreak began in September 2022, cases have been confirmed in 15 countries. The UK is the most affected nation with 263 confirmed Shigella cases. Other affected countries include Sweden (120 cases), Netherlands, France, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and the United States (7 cases).
Six British holidaymakers have died since 2023, four of them between August and November 2025. The deaths were linked to severe gastric illness during or shortly after stays in Cape Verde. Law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing more than 1,500 British people who have fallen ill after travel to Cape Verde since 2022.
Is It Safe to Travel to Cape Verde Right Now?
Official Position (March 2026)
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) does not advise against travel to Cape Verde. The UKHSA has issued health precaution advice but has not recommended cancellation. The ECDC rates ongoing infection risk in the Santa Maria region as moderate and says further cases are expected until the source is found and controlled.
In practical terms: you can travel, but the risk is real. This is not a minor food poisoning issue. The outbreak has persisted for over three years, the source remains unidentified, and new cases were reported as recently as last week. If you fall into a high-risk group — elderly, pregnant, immunocompromised, or travelling with young children — the decision deserves careful consideration.
Can You Cancel Your Holiday and Get a Refund?
This is the question most UK holidaymakers with booked trips are asking. The honest answer depends on several factors:
| Situation | Likely outcome |
|---|---|
| FCDO advises against travel | Full refund typically owed. Tour operators must cancel or offer alternative. |
| FCDO does NOT advise against travel (current situation) | Standard cancellation terms apply. No automatic right to full refund. |
| Package holiday booked via ATOL-protected operator | Check terms — some operators may offer fee-free amendment in light of health warnings |
| Holiday insurance | Most standard policies do not cover cancellation due to a health warning that does not include a full travel ban |
| Credit card purchase | Section 75 protection may apply if the service is not as described — seek advice |
What to do right now if you're booked: Contact your tour operator directly and ask whether they are offering fee-free amendments or cancellations in light of the ongoing UKHSA and ECDC health alerts. Some operators including TUI have been actively managing affected customers. You may not get a full refund without FCDO travel advice against travel, but many operators are being flexible.
How to Protect Yourself If You Do Travel
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water — especially before eating and after using the toilet
- Use alcohol gel when soap is not available
- Only drink bottled or boiled water — including when brushing teeth
- Avoid ice in drinks unless you know it is made from bottled water
- Only eat food that is freshly cooked and served piping hot
- Avoid buffet food that has been sitting out — especially salads, cold meats, and desserts
- Eat only fruit you peel yourself
- Avoid salads not washed in bottled or boiled water
- Be cautious with swimming pools — Shigella can spread in pool water
- Pack oral rehydration sachets before you travel
If You Become Ill During or After Your Trip
Seek medical attention immediately if you develop severe diarrhoea, bloody stools, fever, or stomach cramps. Tell your doctor you have travelled to Cape Verde. If symptoms are severe or persist beyond a few days, go to A&E. Report your illness to the UKHSA via your GP — this helps track the outbreak. If you fell ill at a specific hotel, report this to your tour operator and consider contacting a travel law solicitor.
High Risk Groups — Extra Caution Advised
The UKHSA specifically advises people in the following groups to discuss their travel plans with a healthcare provider before visiting Cape Verde:
- Adults over 65
- People with underlying health conditions
- People who are immunocompromised or on immunosuppressant medication
- Pregnant women
- Children under 5 years old
🌊 Verdict
Cape Verde remains a beautiful destination and the Foreign Office has not advised against travel. However, this is not a minor or fading outbreak. More than 1,000 cases across 15 countries, six British deaths, and new infections still being reported in March 2026 — three years after the problem first emerged — suggest the source of contamination in Santa Maria's hotel chain has not been adequately controlled. If you are fit and healthy, take strict precautions and you may be fine. If you are elderly, pregnant, immunocompromised, or travelling with very young children, you should seriously weigh the risk and speak to your GP before going. If you have a holiday booked, contact your tour operator now to understand your amendment and cancellation options before your departure date arrives.
