More than 130 people have fallen sick in the United Kingdom with Shigella infections after going to Cape Verde.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said recent laboratory surveillance data has shown an increase in Shigella in England.
Since October, 137 confirmed Shigella sonnei patients have been identified with 99 women sick. Samples from cases are genetically similar, suggesting a common source.
There are 113 people sick in England and 12 each in Scotland and Wales. Cases range in age from younger than 1 to 81 years old with a median of 54 years old. The group most affected are those aged 50 to 59.
Public Health Scotland (PHS), Public Health Wales (PHW) and the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland are also part of the investigation team.
Cape Verde link
Evidence gathered to date suggests the outbreak is associated with travel to Cape Verde. Of the 137 cases, 116 reported international travel – of which 109 had been to Cape Verde, the majority to the Santa Maria and Boa Vista areas.
The implicated strain of Shigella sonnei does not have any genomic resistance determinants against common antimicrobials used to treat "traveller’s" diarrhea.
UKHSA said international communications and investigations are ongoing.
It is not the first time people have become sick after staying at hotels in Cape Verde. Law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing more than 1,400 British holidaymakers who have suffered illness linked to holidays in Cape Verde since 2022. These cases involve confirmed diagnoses of E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Cryptosporidium, with some people requiring hospital treatment abroad or upon return to the UK.
In February 2023, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported an increase in shigellosis cases, mainly caused by Shigella sonnei, among travelers returning from Cape Verde. More than 250 infections were recorded in 10 European countries, the UK and the U.S. since September 2022.
“We’re seeing a deeply concerning trend in illness reports from Cape Verde,” said Michael Walker, a partner at Holiday Claims Bureau. “Tour operators and package holiday resorts must be held accountable for failing to maintain even the most basic health and hygiene standards expected by holidaymakers.”
Shigella infection can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. These symptoms occur one to two days after coming into contact with the bacteria. They typically last 5 to 7 days, but some people may experience symptoms anywhere from a few days to 4 or more weeks.
Shigella sonnei is transmitted via contact with contaminated feces – even microscopic amounts are enough – either directly through person-to-person transmission or indirectly from contaminated food or water, or surfaces. Infection is often linked to travel to regions where shigellosis is endemic.
