Law firm Irwin Mitchell has taken on the case of a seventh British holidaymaker who died after falling ill while staying in Cape Verde.
The victim has not been named but is a man in his 50s from County Durham, who stayed for a week at the all-inclusive Riu Palace Santa Maria from 11 August last year with his wife and stepdaughter.
The man, who was already immunosuppressed, fell ill with symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal cramping pains, and vomiting.
He continued to suffer symptoms after returning home and was admitted to hospital after deteriorating in October 2025. He died on 2 November.
Irwin Mitchell is now representing around 1,700 British holidaymakers who have suffered gastric illness linked to holidays in Cape Verde since 2022, including the families of six Britons who died. Four of them had visited Cape Verde in 2025.
In February, the UK Health Security Agency published findings from an investigation, which showed increases in Salmonella and Shigella cases among travellers to the destination.
Cape Verde’s Minister of Tourism issued a statement to say the country was safe to visit and there was no Shigella outbreak.
Irwin Mitchell lawyer Jatinder Paul said: “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.
“The effects of gastric illness should never be downplayed as symptoms can lead to life-long and debilitating complications and even death.”
Separately, the first class action law case brough by Irwin Mitchell, involving 300 holidaymakers who say they fell ill after staying at the same Cape Verde hotel in summer 2022, began in the High Court in February. All booked their holidays with TUI. TUI has denied responsibility.
Travel Gossip has approached TUI for a comment.
