THE UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY (UKHSA) has issued a Cape Verde health warning, reminding travellers to protect against gastrointestinal (GI) infections following an associated increase in cases of Salmonella and Shigella.
Cape Verde Health Warning
Of 118 confirmed Shigella cases that reported international travel since 1 October 2025, 95% had travelled to Cape Verde, a UKHSA investigation found.
In the same period, 43 cases of Salmonella (reported in England, Scotland, and Wales) from three separate clusters, identified using whole genome sequencing, were linked to Cape Verde travel.
Dr Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director for GI Infections, Food Safety and One Health at UKHSA, said: “Most episodes of traveller’s diarrhoea are short-lived, lasting for a few days. During an episode of diarrhoea and vomiting, it is important to prevent dehydration particularly for young children, pregnant women, elderly people, and those with pre-existing illnesses as they can develop complications.”
Travelling Exposures
Eating undercooked meat and fish, using local swimming pools, swallowing water form environmental sources, drinking purified water, and drinking fruit juice or smoothies were all associated with higher odds of GI infection, a 2026 UKHSA case-control study of English travellers found.
Between 1 July 2023 and 15 October 2023, more than 7,600 cases of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, non-typhoidal Salmonella, and Shigella were notified to the UKHSA. It was estimated that 43% were likely to be travel associated.
Only those infections diagnosed following return to England were included in the study, which may have led to an underestimation of, particularly less severe, infections. Cases were younger than controls, although the proportion of children in both groups was comparable.
Higher-risk areas were identified as those with poorer water, sanitation, and hygiene. The study also highlighted potentially under-recognised GI risks in travel to popular short-haul destinations including Egypt, Tunisia, and Türkiye. Researchers suggested that more work be done to raise awareness of risk in those that visit short-haul destinations, to help inform public health messages aimed at prevention and reduction of travel associated GI illness.
References
GOV.UK. UKHSA reminds travellers to Cape Verde to protect against gastrointestinal infections. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-reminds-travellers-to-cape-verde-to-protect-against-gastrointestinal-infections. Last accessed 10 February 2026.
Love N et al. Risk factors associated with acquiring gastrointestinal infections in UK international travellers: a case-control study. Epidemiol Infect. 2026;DOI: 10.1017/S0950268826101058.
