Almost 1,000 tourists struck down by a mysterious stomach bug are taking legal action against luxury hotels while staying on the West African island country of Cape Verde.
In total, 926 people have come forward over the last three years, claiming they all fell ill with the same stomach sickness — with many left hospitalized turning their luxury getaways into “holidays from hell”.
According to UK publication The Telegraph, infections such as Shigella and Salmonella were among some of the illnesses reported by holiday-makers with some unable to leave their room for several days.
One couple who came forward — Cordelia Plummer and Ian Waller from Birmingham and Kingston-Upon-Hull — were part of the a growing group seeking legal assistance following their two-week holiday in July.
The pair fell seriously ill during their $5800 all-inclusive holiday at a five-star hotel on Sal, one of Cape Verde’s islands.
Ms. Plummer claims she was unwell for a whole week during the holiday, with severe gastric symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea.
The woman claims she spent four days in her hotel room, and after visiting her GP upon returning to the UK, suggested she showed signs of Shigella — a disease caused by a bacterial infection.
Mr Waller was struck down with similar symptoms in the last few days of their holiday together, with the illness sticking around until his return to the UK.
“The sheer volume of clients we’re continuing to see coming forward having fallen ill during stays in Cape Verde over the last three years is incredibly concerning,” Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is representing the holiday-makers, told The Telegraph.
“The numbers involved show that these aren’t isolated incidents. The fact that significant numbers are still approaching us with similar first-hand accounts points towards a worrying picture of ongoing illness that shows no sign of ending.
“Gastric illness can result in long-term health problems or even death, and the fear is this could end in tragedy if something isn’t done to address the underlying causes.”
Ms Plummer explained that was supposed to be a “dream two-week” holiday turned into one that she hopes to forget.
“What started as headaches and a feeling of nausea, became the worst sickness and diarrhoea I’ve ever known,” she said.
“I think everyone has probably had an upset stomach at one time or another, but I have never felt so ill.”
It is understood that in 2022, a total of 806 people came forward with similar gastric symptoms, followed by 65 in 2023 and 55 so far this year.
