Nearly 1,000 British holidaymakers are taking legal action against luxury resorts in Cape Verde after being struck down by gastrointestinal infections during their stays. Cape Verde, also known as Cabo Verde, is an island country off the coast of West Africa in the central Atlantic Ocean, renowned for its year-round sunshine, white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters. In 2023, it saw record tourist numbers, with the largest group of visitors hailing from the UK, according to the Cape Verdean Bureau of Statistics.
Since 2022, 936 British tourists have reported falling ill at various hotels across the islands, joining a growing class action against the resorts. The Telegraph UK reported on Sunday that infections such as Shigella and Salmonella have been confirmed by holidaymakers, with some too unwell to leave their rooms for days. Among them are Cordelia Plummer, and her partner Ian Waller, both 56, from Shard End, Birmingham.
The couple, who stayed at a five-star hotel in Sal, Cape Verde in July, booked their two-week holiday through tour operator Tui, spending nearly £3,000 (about AUD$5700) on the all-inclusive trip. Ms Plummer, a customer service assistant, said she fell ill with severe gastric symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, halfway through the trip. She was confined to her room for four days and saw her GP after returning to the UK, who suggested her symptoms could indicate a Shigella infection, an illness that affects the intestine.
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