UK well being chiefs have issued a warning forward of the upcoming February half-term holidays
1000’s of individuals will jet off throughout the half-term break (Picture: Getty)
Well being chiefs are warning winter travellers to take care after dozens of individuals fell sick at a preferred vacation vacation spot. The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has issued the alert after greater than 150 folks from the UK fell sick with bugs that may trigger extreme diarrhoea, fever and abdomen cramps.
A number of Britons are identified to have died after contracting abdomen bugs whereas on vacation at Cape Verde. The UKHSA mentioned on Thursday that an investigation it had carried out had recognized circumstances of shigella and salmonella linked to journey to the winter solar vacation spot, which is in style with British holidaymakers.
The investigation led by UKHSA, along with different public well being businesses, discovered that of the 158 confirmed Shigella circumstances reported since 1 October 2025 which might be inside this outbreak, 118 reported worldwide journey. Of those, 112 (95%) travelled to Cape Verde, the bulk to the Santa Maria and Boa Vista areas. Journey data for the remaining circumstances is just not identified.
As well as to this, UKHSA has additionally recognized will increase in circumstances of Salmonella related with journey to Cape Verde. Since 1 October 2025, a complete of 43 circumstances of Salmonella from 3 separate clusters recognized utilizing entire genome sequencing, have been linked to journey to Cape Verde.
Irwin Mitchell solicitors are representing the households of the six individuals who have died and greater than 1,500 individuals who have fallen sick after visits to Cape Verde. It mentioned 4 British folks died inside 4 months after being struck down with abdomen bugs whereas on vacation there.
Travellers are suggested to go to the Journey Well being Professional web site, supported by UKHSA, which offers complete data to assist folks plan their journey overseas safely for winter solar. Journey Well being Professional has lately up to date its steering for these travelling to Cape Verde, together with precautionary measures on how one can shield your self from gastrointestinal infections.
Dr Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director for Gastrointestinal Infections, Meals Security and One Well being at UKHSA, mentioned: “February is a well-liked time for winter solar holidays and we need to assist households take advantage of their breaks by staying wholesome. Taking just a few easy precautions towards traveller’s diarrhoea and meals poisoning could make all of the distinction.
“The easiest way to keep away from gastrointestinal infections, together with Shigella and Salmonella, or passing them to others, is just by washing your arms commonly and completely with cleaning soap and water or alcohol gel – significantly after utilizing the bathroom, altering nappies, and earlier than consuming or getting ready meals.
“Most episodes of traveller’s diarrhoea are short-lived, lasting for just a few days. Throughout an episode of diarrhoea and vomiting, you will need to forestall dehydration significantly for younger kids, pregnant girls, aged folks, and people with pre-existing diseases as they will develop problems.
“Proceed to hydrate your self with loads of fluids and take into account buying sachets of oral rehydration salt earlier than travelling. If signs worsen or you will have underlying medical circumstances, please search recommendation out of your GP or pharmacy.”
Dozens of individuals have fallen sick whereas visiting the solar spot (Picture: Getty)
A brand new UKHSA examine taking a look at travel-associated gastrointestinal infections highlights the significance of taking easy precautions when travelling overseas. The analysis discovered components that may improve the danger of infections like Salmonella, Shigella, Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
These embody utilizing native swimming swimming pools, native water and sanitation circumstances and attainable an infection from some meals linked to catered lodges from buffets and tour/daytrip meals. Travellers can scale back their danger of gastrointestinal infections by taking care with meals, water and primary hygiene.
For those who develop diarrhoea, keep effectively hydrated and search medical recommendation promptly, particularly when you have a fever or discover blood in your stool. Key steps embody:
select meals that’s freshly ready, totally cooked and served piping scorching
in areas with no dependable clear water provide, drink solely bottled or boiled water, (together with when brushing your tooth) and keep away from ice in drinks
eat solely fruit you peel your self and keep away from salads that will not have been washed in secure water
folks with weakened immune techniques equivalent to these on steroids and different immunosuppressive remedy ought to take into account talking to a healthcare skilled for ’stand-by’ antibiotic therapy previous to journey
The Journey Well being Professional web site additionally has Nation Data pages with particular well being recommendation and vaccine suggestions for locations worldwide.
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For those who want vaccines, malaria tablets or journey well being recommendation, contact your GP, observe nurse, pharmacist or a journey clinic. Ideally, this must be 4 to six weeks earlier than you journey however last-minute recommendation remains to be useful.
It is usually advisable to test International, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace (FCDO) recommendation on security and safety, journey warnings and entry necessities to your vacation spot.
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