Shigella cases reported in travellers returning from Cape Verde

A food and water hygiene reminder

A reminder of the risks of diarrhoeal illness, including Shigella infection (also known as shigellosis or dysentery), and the importance of food and water hygiene.

Since 1 October 2025, there has been a rise in Shigella infections, caused by Shigella sonnei, in people returning to the UK from Cape Verde [1]. Of the 137 confirmed UK cases, most (109) reported recent travel to Cape Verde [1]. Cases of S. sonnei have also been observed in travellers returning from Cape Verde to four EU countries: The Netherlands, Sweden, France and Ireland. Cases have mainly been observed between September and November 2025 [2].

An outbreak of Shigella sonnei was also reported in Cape Verde in 2022, with cases occurring in travellers from a number of European countries including the UK [3].

Shigella are bacteria that can cause severe diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps [1]. Most people recover within a week; however, some individuals, such as older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, those with complex medical conditions, pregnant women, and children under five, may be at greater risk of complications including sepsis [4, 5].

Shigella is spread by contact with contaminated faeces either directly through person-to-person transmission or indirectly from food or water or surfaces that are contaminated with Shigella [5]. There is a risk for travellers to places where food and water may be unsafe.

Globally, most cases of shigellosis are in children younger than five years of age, but all ages can be affected. There is also a risk of sexual transmission among men who have sex with men [5, 6].

Advice for travellers

Before you travel

Check our Country Information pages to research general health risks, prevention advice and any vaccine recommendations or malaria advice for your destination.

You may wish to discuss your travel plans with your healthcare provider if you have an underlying health condition or are immunosuppressed, and plan to travel to a destination with a Shigella outbreak.

There is no vaccine to prevent Shigella infection.

While you are away

Make sure you follow these steps when travelling abroad [5-7]:

• Practice good food and water hygiene at all times, even in high-end, all-inclusive resorts.
• Wash your hands often, including before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, after changing nappies and before and after sex.
• Eat recently prepared food that is fully cooked and served piping hot.
• Where there is no clean water supply, drink only bottled or boiled tap water (this includes when brushing your teeth) and avoid ice in your drinks.
• Avoid fresh fruit that you have not peeled yourself and salads not washed with bottled or boiled water.
• Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes and untreated swimming pools.

If you become unwell while abroad [4-7]:

• Drink plenty of 'safe' fluids, such as bottled water, or tap water that has been boiled and cooled, and use oral rehydration solutions so that you do not become dehydrated.
• Get early medical advice if you are at greater risk of complications from Shigella infection, this includes babies/young children, older adults, pregnant women and people who are immunosuppressed or have ongoing health conditions.
• Seek medical help if symptoms last more than a few days or are not improving.
• Wash contaminated clothes or bedding on a hot wash and clean toilets, taps and door handles regularly.
• If you or your partner has had diarrhoea, avoid sexual contact for at least 48 hours.

See our travellers' diarrhoea factsheet for more information.

When you return

Seek medical attention if you are unwell after returning from your trip. Remember to tell your nurse, doctor, or other healthcare provider about your recent travel. Wait for 48 hours after symptoms stop, before going back to school or work.

Advice for health professionals

If a returning traveller presents with gastrointestinal symptoms after foreign travel, consider bacterial infections, including shigellosis as a diagnosis. Testing should be arranged through local microbiology laboratories and confirmed cases reported to the local health protection team. Shigella infection can usually be treated with rehydration fluids and antibiotics.