The number of people infected with Shigella in the UK after traveling to Cape Verde has increased, but no cases have been recorded in recent months.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also monitoring three clusters of Salmonella infections linked to travel to Cape Verde.
UKHSA said the last relevant case of Shigella sonnei occurred on February 19, 2026. Since October 2025, 164 confirmed cases of the disease have been identified and 114 women have been identified as ill. The patients’ samples were genetically similar, suggesting a common source. A previous report from last December showed 137 people were sick.
England has the most infections with 137, followed by Scotland with 13 and Wales with 14. Cases range from less than 1 year to 81 years, with a median age of 53 years. The most affected group is those aged 50 to 59 years.
Cape Verde Connection
Evidence suggests the outbreak was linked to travel to Cape Verde. Of the 164 cases confirmed since October 2025, 127 reported international travel, of which 122 visited Cape Verde, mainly in the Santa Maria and Boavista regions.
Gauri Godbole, deputy director for gastrointestinal infections at UKHSA, said: “Shigella is a potentially serious infection that causes severe diarrhoea, fever and cramps. It can be contracted through contaminated food or water and is often associated with international travel, but can also be transmitted during or after sexual intercourse.”
“As with many infections, the best way to avoid contracting shigellosis or spreading it to others is to wash your hands very regularly and carefully with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Anyone who has had diarrhea should avoid school or work for 48 hours until symptoms go away.”
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 766 confirmed and probable Shigella infections were reported between September 2022 and March 2026 in 13 EU countries, the UK and the US.
Earlier this year, Cape Verdean authorities claimed there was no evidence of any outbreak. However, tests have shown the presence of shigellosis in some hotels. Although water for human consumption was not polluted, water used to irrigate fresh produce was positive.
Symptoms appear 1 to 2 days after contact with the bacteria. It usually lasts 5 to 7 days, but some people may experience symptoms for anywhere from a few days to four weeks or more.
Salmonella Increase
UKHSA also noted an increase in three types of salmonella associated with travel to Cape Verde. Salmonella Virchow has infected four people in the UK. The patients range in age from 21 to 59 and are all female. Three of them had been to Cape Verde before getting sick.
There were 84 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis and 11 other outbreaks. In the larger outbreak, 64 patients had traveled abroad and 60 had been to Cape Verde. There are 74 patients in England, 6 in Scotland, and 4 in Wales. Ages ranged from less than 1 year to 79 years, with an average age of 51.5 years and 44 years for men. The most affected age group is 60-69 years old.
In the smaller outbreak, seven people visited the country. In other cases, travel information is not available.
