### Group of UK Tourists Fall Ill During Five-Star Cape Verde Holiday, Ignite Legal Battle
A group of British holidaymakers is pursuing legal action after a series of allegedly appalling hygiene failures at a five-star resort in Cape Verde left 25 travellers severely unwell. What was marketed as a luxurious escape on the island of Boa Vista quickly descended into crisis for the affected tourists, who reported an alarming range of complaints from dirty cutlery and crockery to the presence of flies, feral cats, and even birds infiltrating the hotel buffet.
Guests say that hopes for a relaxing time away were dashed when an array of gastrointestinal illnesses swept through the group. The victims claim to have been served lukewarm meals, undercooked meats, and were disturbed to see new food being added on top of the old on open buffets—allegedly surrounded by unwashed plates attracting insects. The situation was so concerning that a number of tourists, including NHS worker Sharon Burrow, required hospital treatment after returning to the UK.
Sharon, aged 56, had invested £3,000 in her trip, marking the occasion of her early retirement. However, halfway through what should have been a celebratory ten-day stay last September, she developed fever, aches, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Upon returning home, medical professionals diagnosed her with E.coli and shigella, infections that are commonly associated with poor food hygiene. More than eight months since the ordeal, she continues to suffer ongoing health complications resulting from the infection.
In a statement, Sharon recounted: “I was in agony for nearly three weeks. It was a horrific experience; I could barely function. The conditions at the hotel left plenty to be desired—dirty crockery, animals roaming near food, and noticeably poor food handling. I just want to prevent others from going through the trauma I’ve faced.”
Penny Robson, a paramedic from London, echoed similar woes. She and her friend paid £2,000 each for a week-long break at the resort in September 2023. Penny recalls that within five days she too was laid low by severe gastric symptoms, requiring antibiotics and oral rehydration therapy administered at the hotel. She describes how she was forced to abandon several prepaid excursions, including a stargazing night and an island tour. The experience, she says, has left her anxious about future travel, particularly to holiday destinations further afield.
“Months of saving and anticipation were ruined in just a few days. I’ve never felt more vulnerable or less confident, even when dining out at home,” Penny explained. “I would like to know how a supposedly five-star experience became such a misery for so many of us.”
Responding to the complaints, legal firm Irwin Mitchell has confirmed it is representing the group of holidaymakers in an ongoing investigation. Jatinder Paul, a solicitor specialising in international injury claims, said the firm is now acting for over 1,400 UK tourists who have reportedly suffered similar illnesses after visiting Cape Verde since 2022. He stressed the seriousness of infections like E.coli, noting that such illnesses can bring lasting impacts on victims’ health.
“These are serious conditions that often result from insufficient food safety standards,” Mr Paul said. “Swift action is necessary when such risks are identified. Holidaymakers rightly expect their resorts to adhere to basic hygiene—when that fails, they deserve answers.”
So far, the management of the Cape Verde resort in question has yet to supply an official response. The incident has renewed urgent public scrutiny on hygiene practices in the hospitality sector, particularly in luxury resorts which typically command significant fees for their premium promise.
The affected tourists hope their shared ordeal will not only bring them compensation but also increase awareness, sparking improvements in health and safety protocols abroad. Throughout the ongoing investigation, the legal team welcomes testimonies from any other potential victims who may have experienced similar circumstances at the same resort.
As this legal battle unfolds, the case highlights the importance of transparent health standards in international travel, alongside the responsibility of providers to ensure guest welfare matches the star rating they advertise. For now, the affected holidaymakers are left counting the cost, not only financially but in terms of their health and peace of mind.