The dependable February sun and picture-perfect waves continue to attract tourists to Cape Verde’s beaches. However, beneath the picturesque tranquility, a growing sense of anxiety has spread among tourists, particularly those who are coming home with much more than a suntan.
Concern has been raised throughout the UK in recent months by a dramatic rise in gastrointestinal infections that have been directly connected to island visits. The diseases have caused a great deal of disruption, especially Shigella sonnei and Salmonella instances. A small but unfortunate number of instances resulted in death, while the majority recovered in a few of days.
| Location | Cape Verde (Sal Island – Santa Maria, Boa Vista) |
|---|---|
| Illnesses Identified | Shigella sonnei, Salmonella, gastrointestinal infections |
| Confirmed Cases | 158 Shigella, 43 Salmonella (UKHSA, as of February 2026) |
| Reported Deaths | At least 6 British tourists since January 2023 |
| High-Risk Areas | Santa Maria (Sal), Boa Vista |
| Known Risk Factors | Buffets, post-hurricane sanitation issues, contaminated water |
| Travel Advisory | Caution advised, especially for children and elderly |
The setting’s apparent banality is what stands out the most. Features you might anticipate on any vacation include buffet tables, resort pools, and ice-filled cold beverages. However, it’s possible that these same amenities contributed significantly to the spread of the bacteria, particularly in densely populated resort regions like Santa Maria and Boa Vista.
According to confirmation from the UK Health Security Agency, most instances involve individuals who have recently visited certain areas of Cape Verde. The frequent offender has been Shigella in particular. Mild stomach discomfort is frequently the first symptom, but in certain situations, it can swiftly progress to severe cramps, a persistent fever, and dehydration.
In retrospect, many of the diseases that were recorded were linked to visits to large resorts where cleanliness standards may not have been up to par with those of health-conscious tourists. Some visitors complained that the hotel pools were “frequently closed,” while others saw that certain buffets were running without regular hygienic inspections.
After visiting Sal in August 2023, one visitor wrote in a public group that her digestive health “has never been the same.” In a tone that was both urgent and intimate, she warned others about her lingering condition, stating that it takes months to heal.
It wasn’t simply about disease, and as a journalist, I felt myself subtly uneasy when reading that post. It dealt with trust and how it silently dissolves during a person’s eagerly anticipated journey.
The way that TUI, one of the major travel agencies that offers flights to Cape Verde from the UK, has handled the problem has drawn harsh criticism. A number of travelers said that the corporation denied receiving any additional complaints after they reported their ailments. Even when social media groups grew with almost identical stories, that message was reiterated.
While some visitors opted to endure their symptoms, others said they had to pay hundreds of pounds to change hotels in the middle of their trip. One individual remembered slouching in his room on his last day of vacation, drinking bottled water and avoiding other visitors. He claimed that knowing he would be flying home the following morning was his only comfort.
The hurricane that struck the islands in August 2025 might be somewhat to blame. International health agencies were concerned about the possibility of polluted water supplies after Hurricane Erin significantly damaged local water systems. In high-traffic locations, the recovery efforts might not have been thorough enough, despite their speed.
Through contaminated food, contaminated surfaces, and human-to-person contact, the bacteria spreads quickly. If safeguards aren’t strictly followed, resort conditions—shared utensils, common eating areas, and crowded bathrooms—create an environment that is especially vulnerable.
All visitors to Cape Verde are being advised by health officials to boil water, stay away from raw vegetables, refuse ice in beverages, and only eat peeled fruit. These safeguards seem sensible at first glance. However, in reality, they want visitors to live carefully in an area that promotes comfort and leisure.
A vacationer described her resort as “chaotic,” describing how she saw sewage water being pushed within a few meters away from the swimming pool. Another reported that while dining at a place that marketed itself as elite, they noticed bugs on a patron’s shoulder. These are no longer exceptions; rather, they are a part of a fast developing shared narrative.
More than any particular detail, the rising sense of disenchantment is what really sticks out. For many years, Cape Verde has been known as a tranquil retreat that provides sunshine without the crowds of other winter vacation locations. The latest outbreak and, more significantly, the sluggish, disjointed reaction that followed have significantly damaged its appeal.
Nevertheless, a lot of tourists continue to make reservations. For some, the investment loss is too great. Others hold out hope that the worst is over and that the experience can still be saved with the right safety measures. The need for beauty, warmth, and rest has not diminished.
However, it is now combined with planning. Hand sanitizer in excess. water in bottles for teeth cleaning. Steer clear of hotel buffets. The unfettered comfort that was once promised has given way to a cautiously optimistic outlook.
Cape Verde is still a stunning place. Despite the uncertainties, there is still music, hospitality, and a sense of rhythm to life there. Clarity is what travelers need right now, not blame or terror. A reactive crisis can be reduced to a manageable danger with the use of timely information, honest updates, and clear warnings.
The tale of Cape Verde serves as a stark warning to British tourists planning their spring vacations that even paradise needs to be preserved, examined, and questioned—especially when people’s health is involved.
And while though this epidemic has been concerning, it might result in something significantly better—travel that is not only beautiful but also safe—if those standards can be maintained going forward.