Authorities in Cape Verde have hit out at claims of mass food poisoning linked to the tourist destination, saying health and safety is an “absolute priority.” The General Inspectorate of Economic Activities (IGAE), the Independent Health Regulatory Authority (ERIS), the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), and the Cape Verde Tourism Institute (ITCV) said authorities promptly investigated alleged cases of Shigella infection reported in 2022. The agencies said any allegations of food poisoning must be based on concrete and verified evidence, which has not been the case to date.
The statement from authorities in Cape Verde comes after claims by law firm Irwin Mitchell that hundreds of British holidaymakers have asked lawyers to investigate after getting sick at various hotels in Cape Verde in recent years. This includes almost 100 people who fell ill with infections such as Shigella and Salmonella following stays at the Riu Cabo Verde in summer 2022. Investigations in Cape Verde Since initial reports of a possible outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on the island of Sal, and in the city of Santa Maria, health authorities in Cape Verde said they have implemented a series of control measures to assess the situation and ensure the safety of visitors.
In December 2022, two investigations were carried out following rumors of a rise in cases of diarrhea on the island of Sal. Neither confirmed an outbreak or an abnormal increase in cases. In March 2023, a team led by INSP c.
