Authorities in Cape Verde have criticized claims of mass food poisoning linked to the tourist destination, saying health and safety is an “absolute priority”.
The General Inspectorate for 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 immediately investigated alleged cases of Shigella infection reported in 2022. .
The authorities said that any accusations of food poisoning must be based on concrete and verified evidence, which has not been the case so far.
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 falling ill at several hotels in Cape Verde in recent years. This includes almost 100 people who became ill with infections such as Shigella and Salmonella after staying at Riu Cabo Verde in the summer of 2022.
Research in Cape Verde
Since the first reports of a possible outbreak of gastrointestinal diseases on the island of Sal and in the city of Santa Maria, Cape Verde’s health authorities 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 an increase in diarrhea cases on Sal Island. Neither confirmed an outbreak or an abnormal increase in cases.
In March 2023, a team led by INSP conducted an epidemiological survey and risk assessment, visiting hotels and other tourist sites in Santa Maria. This looked at possible cases of gastroenteritis caused by Shigella.
Of 84 laboratory tests on food handlers in tourist establishments, all results were negative for Salmonella and Shigella. More than 2,000 health cards were updated or issued by the Sal Health Department to ensure food handlers complied with health regulations.
Investigations have found no evidence of an outbreak of Shigella in Santa Maria hotels between September 2022 and March 2023.
Officials acknowledged that there have been reports of Shigella infections among tourists visiting Sal Island, but said there is no evidence directly linking the cases to conditions in Cape Verde.
They claimed that Cape Verde was subject to strict hygiene and food safety standards, with regular audits. Tourist establishments are subject to hygiene and safety inspections in accordance with international standards.
“We would like to remind you that, as in any tourist destination, there is the possibility of gastrointestinal diseases occurring, but in Cape Verde this chance is minimized thanks to our rigorous monitoring system and commitment to good practices.”
Cases across Europe
More than twenty people approached Irwin Mitchell after staying at the Riu Funana Hotel in 2023. In 2022, 170 holidaymakers took legal action after falling ill at the hotel.
Hundreds of other holidaymakers have informed the company after illness at other Cape Verdean hotels in 2022, including 300 people who fell ill at Riu Palace Santa Maria, another hotel on Sal.
Jatinder Paul, from Irwin Mitchell, said: “The high number of clients we continue to see coming forward during their stay in Cape Verde over the past three years is incredibly worrying.
“The figures show that these are not isolated incidents. The fact that significant numbers are still approaching us with similar first-hand accounts highlights a worrying picture of ongoing illness, which shows no signs of ending.”
In February 2023, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported an increase in cases of shigellosis, mainly caused by Shigella sonnei, among travelers returning from Cape Verde. Since September 2022, more than 250 infections have been registered in 10 European countries, Great Britain and the US.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)