In the popular tourist destination of Cape Verde, authorities vehemently refute allegations of a widescale food poisoning outbreak. They maintain that the health and safety of both residents and tourists is their utmost priority.
This assertion comes from several regulatory bodies in Cape Verde, namely, 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). These organizations collectively maintain that they have swiftly taken action in the light of reports of the Shigella infection occurring in 2022.
The regulators emphasized the need for claims of food poisoning to be backed by concrete evidence that has been thoroughly verified, which, according to them, is lacking in the present instance.
This response from the Cape Verde authorities comes in the wake of a law firm announcing that a substantial number of British tourists fell ill after visiting various hotels in Cape Verde in recent years. Among the victims, nearly 100 individuals reportedly got infected with pathogens such as Shigella and Salmonella, specifically after staying at the Riu Cabo Verde during the summer of 2022.
Despite these foreboding reports, health authorities in Cape Verde have been proactive in their efforts to control the situation. They have implemented a host of measures designed to evaluate the situation accurately and ensure the safety of tourists. This is particularly true on the island of Sal and in the city of Santa Maria, both renowned tourist hotspots.
In December 2022, following rumors of an escalating number of diarrhea cases on the island of Sal, two investigations were carried out. Both these investigations, however, did not confirm an outbreak or an abnormal increase in cases. Furthermore, in March 2023, a team from the INSP conducted extensive investigations and risk assessments by visiting hotels and other popular tourist areas in Santa Maria to examine potential cases of Shigella-induced gastroenteritis.
These investigations comprised 84 lab tests on food handlers working in the tourist establishments. All tests returned negative for harmful pathogens such as Salmonella and Shigella. Additionally, more than 2,000 health cards were updated or issued by the Sal Health Department. This step was taken to ensure that all food handlers strictly follow hygiene regulations.
The investigations concluded with no substantial evidence of a Shigella outbreak at any hotel in Santa Maria between September 2022 to March 2023. The authorities did acknowledge reports of Shigella infections among tourists; however, they maintain that there is no evidence directly linking these cases to the conditions in Cape Verde’s sanitation standards.
Cape Verde is known to uphold stringent hygiene and food safety standards, reinforced through frequent audits. The country’s tourist establishments regularly undergo inspections to ensure adherence to global hygiene and safety standards. The authorities remain committed to implementing a robust control system and best practices. They also emphasized that while the possibility of gastrointestinal diseases exists, as in any tourist destination, the probability of such occurrences in Cape Verde is significantly reduced due to their vigilant surveillance system.
Nevertheless, numerous tourists have reported falling ill following their visits to Cape Verde. In 2022, 170 holidaymakers initiated legal proceedings after suffering sickness at hotels in Cape Verde. This included 300 people who fell ill at the Riu Palace Santa Maria, another hotel on Sal.
The situation intensified in 2023, with an alarming increase in shigellosis cases primarily caused by Shigella sonnei, as reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Since September 2022, more than 250 infections have been recorded in 10 European countries, along with the UK and the USA, all associated with travelers returning from Cape Verde.
It is of utmost importance to appropriately address these health issues to ensure the welfare of both local residents and tourists. It is hoped that the authorities will continue to act swiftly and effectively to prevent any further outbreaks. As with all popular vacation destinations, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety is an integral part of preserving their hard-earned reputation and preventing any unnecessary health crises.
