Cape Verde Tourism Defies Health Warnings Amid Shigella Scare

Recent reports indicate a rise in Shigella cases among tourists returning from Cape Verde. This bacterial infection can lead to severe diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. European and UK health authorities have issued warnings, with the UK's Foreign Office advising individuals with pre-existing health conditions to seek medical advice before traveling. Despite these concerns, Cape Verde's tourism minister, Dr. José Luís Sá Nogueira, maintains that the islands are safe and encourages continued tourism. He highlighted that 1.2 million tourists visited in 2025, with over 400,000 from the UK, and stated there's no evidence travel there is riskier than to other warm destinations.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) identified a specific strain of Shigella sonnei as the primary cause, suggesting a common source or persistent transmission. While the exact cause of infection remains unidentified, foodborne transmission is considered most plausible, though person-to-person spread is not ruled out. The Cape Verde Institute of Public Health stated that surveillance has not confirmed an outbreak, attributing increased diarrhea cases to typical worldwide occurrences and noting that rapid tests used in some hotels are not specific. Investigations into more reliable tests are ongoing.