The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Brits visiting popular winter sun islands, following a reported increase in cases of an infection which causes severe diarrhoea. 

Linking to advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), the FCDO updated its travel advice to say: “The UK Health Security Agency is investigating an increase in reports of Shigella sonnei infection in travellers returning from Cape Verde. See information about health risks.”

According to the NaTHNaC, since October 1 there has been a reported rise in Shigella infections in people returning to the UK from Cape Verde. It reports that out of 137 confirmed UK cases, 109 had reported recent travel to the winter sun hotspot.

It went on to say that travellers from the Netherlands, Sweden, France, and Ireland had also been affected by the illness, with many cases observed between September and November 2025. 

It’s not the first time the archipelago has seen an outbreak of Shigella sonnei. In 2022, 221 confirmed Shigella sonnei infections and 37 possible cases were linked to Cape Verde, mostly from UK, European, and US visitors who stayed in the region of Santa Maria on Sal.

The NaTHNaC explained: “Shigella are bacteria that can cause severe diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. Most people recover within a week; however, some individuals, such as older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, those with complex medical conditions, pregnant women, and children under five, may be at greater risk of complications including sepsis.”

It added that shigella is spread by contaminated faeces directly through person-to-person transmission, or indirectly from food, water or surfaces contaminated with Shigella. 

The department has advised those visiting Cape Verde to keep up-to-date with travel advice from the government, such as the Country Information pages on the FCDO website. This includes information such as vaccine recommendations. 

Those who have underlying health conditions or are immunosuppressed may need to consult with a healthcare professional before they travel. 

 They also issued the following advice to holidaymakers to follow during their visit: 

•  Practice good food and water hygiene at all times, even in high-end, all-inclusive resorts

• Wash your hands often, including before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, after changing nappies and before and after sex

• Eat recently prepared food that is fully cooked and served piping hot

• Where there is no clean water supply, drink only bottled or boiled tap water (this includes when brushing your teeth) and avoid ice in your drinks

• Avoid fresh fruit that you have not peeled yourself and salads not washed with bottled or boiled water

• Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes and untreated swimming pools

Symptoms of Shigella

 NHS Scotland have information on the symptoms of Shigella, which include:

•  Watery diarrhoea – sometimes containing blood, mucus or pus in severe cases

• Feeling sick or being sick

• Abdominal pain

• High temperature (fever) over 38°C (100.4°F)

• Feeling down or depressed

 According to the NHS, symptoms usually start one to three days after infection and can last up to a week. 

If you become unwell while abroad

 NaTHNaC has issued this advice for travellers who become unwell during their break. 

•  Drink plenty of ‘safe’ fluids, such as bottled water, or tap water that has been boiled and cooled, and use oral rehydration solutions so that you do not become dehydrated

• Get early medical advice if you are at greater risk of complications from Shigella infection, this includes babies/young children, older adults, pregnant women and people who are immunosuppressed or have ongoing health conditions

• Seek medical help if symptoms last more than a few days or are not improving

• Wash contaminated clothes or bedding on a hot wash and clean toilets, taps and door handles regularly

• If you or your partner has had diarrhoea, avoid sexual contact for at least 48 hours

If you’re unwell when returning home, you may need to seek medical attention and let your healthcare provider know about your trip. Your doctor may need to take a stool sample to diagnose Shigella. They also advise: “Wait for 48 hours after symptoms stop, before going back to school or work.”

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