A “wonderful, loving and caring” County Durham dad became the seventh British tourist to die after being struck down with a severe illness while holidaying in Cape Verde in November, lawyers say. The man, in his 50s, suffered with symptoms for 12 weeks before suffering multi-organ failure and dying.

His wife, who wants her family to remain anonymous, has spoken out in the hope that other families can avoid an ordeal like theirs. The couple travelled to the five-star Riu Palace Santa Maria with their step-daughter for a week long all-inclusive holiday costing more than £6,000 on August 11, 2025.

Two days into the holiday, booked through TUI, the dad-of-two and stepdad-of-two fell ill with symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal cramping pains and vomiting, which continued throughout the holiday. The man, who was already immunosuppressed, continued to suffer with symptoms until his return home. He rapidly deteriorated in October 2025 and following his admission to hospital, his health further declined. He died on November 2, 2025.

The man’s wife, who is in her 40s, said: “We’d been to the resort the year before to celebrate my husband’s retirement and enjoyed it so much we booked again to return. However, as soon as we arrived the second time, we couldn’t believe how much it appeared to have changed from our previous holiday.

“We didn’t expect the poor standards we experienced, especially for the money we paid. When my husband fell ill, he tried to continue but the holiday was ruined. Even more worrying was how his symptoms continued to persist once we got home. He tried to carry on but it was obvious he wasn’t himself and was still suffering. We’re still in complete shock over his death.

“My husband was my soulmate and an absolutely wonderful, loving and caring dad. We never imagined that going on what we thought would be an enjoyable holiday would lead to such traumatic events unfolding. I’d do anything to turn the clock back, but I know nothing can undo what’s happened and how our family will never be the same again. However, I wouldn’t want anyone else to suffer the same experience. People need to be aware of the issues hundreds of holidaymakers to Cape Verde are facing.”

Cape Verde authorities confirmed cases of illness and the presence of the shigella bacteria in irrigation water and fresh food on Sal and Boa Vista. Authorities have launched an investigation following what it described as reports of suspected gastroenteritis in European tourists to Sal and Boa Vista.

The public health investigation by the Cape Verde authorities is believed to have seen 156 samples – from drinking water, fresh food, food-handling surfaces, food handlers, irrigation water and medical samples – analysed. Bacteria was detected in samples of water used to irrigate fresh produce.

While officials acknowledged some tourists may have been infected, they said positive samples fell within surveillance parameters so did not constitute an illness outbreak. Following the identification of bacteria, the authorities issued recommendations to businesses, including strengthening disinfection processes for fresh produce throughout the production, import, and distribution chain as well as intensifying inspection activities.

Specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been instructed by more than 1,700 UK tourists to Cape Verde who have fallen ill since 2022, including the County Durham man who died. Jatinder Paul, who leads the team representing families, said: “We continue to be contacted by hundreds more people reporting all too familiar and worrying first-hand accounts of how their holidays have been ruined by serious illness.

“While our focus remains on establishing the full facts of how these holidaymakers fell ill, this latest development is of great concern. Shigella is highly contagious. Eating or drinking contaminated food or water is one of the most common ways of transmitting the infection, and only a small number of bacteria is required to cause infection.

“We’d urge those planning on travelling to Cape Verde over the coming weeks and months to ensure they eat fully cooked, steaming hot meals, always select fruits they can peel and avoid raw vegetables and salads. While it’s too late for those who have already suffered life-changing consequences following illness linked to holidays, it’s vital that tour operators – who are responsible for ensuring the safety of those who have booked all-inclusive package holidays – and authorities get on top of the reported hygiene issues on the islands. Those affected by illness shouldn’t feel pressured into accepting early settlement offer from tour operators without understanding their full legal rights. We strongly advise seeking independent legal advice.

“The effects of gastric illness should never be downplayed as symptoms can lead to life-long and debilitating complications and even death.”

Jane Pressley, 62, of Gainsborough and Mark Ashley, 55, from Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire; both died in January 2023 and November 2025 after holidaying at the Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria, in Sal. Nurse Eleana Walsh, 64, from Birmingham, died in August 2025 after falling ill while staying at the Riu Cabo Verde resort in Sal.

Karen Pooley, 64, from Lydney, Gloucestershire, died in October after falling ill and suffering a broken leg while staying at the Riu Funana resort in Sal. Irwin Mitchell is also representing the loved ones of two men in their 60s and 50s who died after suffering gastric illness while staying at the Riu Karamboa in Boa Vista in November 2024 and November 2025 respectively.

TUI declined to comment when approached by ChronicleLive.