British Tourist Dies on Flight After Suspected Shigella Infection in Cape Verde

A British tourist died on a flight home from Cape Verde after contracting a severe intestinal infection, highlighting ongoing health concerns for travelers to the island nation. The 71-year-old woman from Berkshire is reportedly the eighth British national to die in 2024 from shigellosis, a bacterial infection causing severe diarrhea and dehydration.

According to a report in The Sun, details from the woman's personal diary described deteriorating conditions at her hotel, including a lack of running water and a non-functional toilet. She soon developed symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness. Medical sources suggest the resulting dehydration and fever contributed to cardiac arrest during her flight.

This incident is part of a pattern. Since 2022, multiple tourist deaths have been reported post-travel to Cape Verde. Official figures show four tourist deaths recorded in the first three months of 2025 alone. Furthermore, by March of this year, approximately 1,500 British travelers had sought legal advice following trips there.

A recent study commissioned by legal firms, which tested 156 water samples across the islands, found the presence of shigella bacteria. The UK Foreign Office has not issued specific travel warnings but advises travelers to maintain strict hygiene and drink bottled water. Requests for comment from Cape Verde's tourism and health authorities were not immediately returned.

Shigella is typically spread through contaminated food or water. While often treatable, it can be dangerous for older adults or those with underlying conditions. Another recent case involved a British man who fell ill two days into a £6,000 holiday and died after returning home, with his wife describing persistent symptoms throughout the trip.