The number of people in the United Kingdom infected by Shigella after going to Cape Verde has increased but no cases have been recorded in recent months.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also monitoring three clusters of Salmonella infections associated with travel to Cape Verde.
UKHSA said the last related Shigella sonnei case was Feb. 19, 2026. Since October 2025, 164 confirmed illnesses have been identified with 114 women sick. Samples from patients are genetically similar, suggesting a common source. A previous report in December revealed 137 people were sick.
England has the most infections with 137, Scotland has 13, and Wales has 14. Cases range from less than 1 to 81 years old with a median age of 53. The group most affected are 50- to 59-year-olds.
Cape Verde connection
Evidence suggests the outbreak was associated with travel to Cape Verde. Of the 164 confirmed cases since October 2025, 127 reported international travel – of which 122 had been to Cape Verde, mainly the Santa Maria and Boa Vista areas.
Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA, said: "Shigella is a potentially serious infection causing severe diarrhea, fever and cramps. It can be caught from contaminated food or water, often linked to overseas travel, but can also be transmitted during and after sex.
“As with so many infections, the best way to avoid catching Shigella or passing it to others is by washing your hands very regularly and carefully with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet, changing nappies and before eating or preparing food. People who have had diarrhea should stay away from school or work until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours."
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), between September 2022 and March 2026, 766 confirmed and possible Shigella infections were reported by 13 EU countries, the UK and the United States.
Earlier this year, Cape Verde officials insisted there was no evidence of any outbreak. However, testing showed the presence of Shigella at some hotels. Water for human consumption was not contaminated but water used for irrigating fresh produce was positive.
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.
Salmonella increases
UKHSA has also noted increases in three types of Salmonella associated with travel to Cape Verde. Salmonella Virchow has sickened four people in England. Patients range in age from 21 to 59 and all are female. Three of them had been to Cape Verde before getting sick.
One Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak has 84 cases while another has 11. In the larger outbreak, 64 sick people reported international travel and 60 had been to Cape Verde. There are 74 patients in England, six in Scotland, and four in Wales. They range from under 1 to 79 years old with a median age of 51.5 and 44 are men. The age group most affected are 60- to 69-year-olds.
In the smaller outbreak, seven people had been to the country. For the other cases, travel information is not known.
