Cape Verde officials respond to food poisoning claims

Authorities in Cape Verde have hit out at claims of mass food poisoning linked to the tourist destination, saying health and safety is an “absolute priority.”

The General Inspectorate of Economic Activities (IGAE), the Independent Health Regulatory Authority (ERIS), the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), and the Cape Verde Tourism Institute (ITCV) said authorities promptly investigated alleged cases of Shigella infection reported in 2022.

The agencies said any allegations of food poisoning must be based on concrete and verified evidence, which has not been the case to date.

The statement from authorities in Cape Verde comes after claims by law firm Irwin Mitchell that hundreds of British holidaymakers have asked lawyers to investigate after getting sick at various hotels in Cape Verde in recent years. This includes almost 100 people who fell ill with infections such as Shigella and Salmonella following stays at the Riu Cabo Verde in summer 2022.

Investigations in Cape Verde

Since initial reports of a possible outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on the island of Sal, and in the city of Santa Maria, health authorities in Cape Verde said they have implemented a series of control measures to assess the situation and ensure the safety of visitors.

In December 2022, two investigations were carried out following rumors of a rise in cases of diarrhea on the island of Sal. Neither confirmed an outbreak or an abnormal increase in cases.

In March 2023, a team led by INSP conducted an epidemiological investigation and a risk assessment, visiting hotels and other tourist sites in Santa Maria. This looked into potential cases of gastroenteritis caused by Shigella.

From 84 laboratory tests on food handlers in tourist establishments, all results were negative for Salmonella and Shigella. More than 2,000 health cards were updated or issued by the Sal Health Department, ensuring that food handlers complied with health regulations.

Investigations did not find any evidence of an outbreak of Shigella at hotels in Santa Maria during September 2022 to March 2023.

Officials acknowledged there are reports of Shigella infections among tourists who visited the island of Sal, but said there is no evidence that directly links the cases to conditions in Cape Verde.

They claimed Cape Verde was governed by strict standards of hygiene and food safety, with regular audits. Tourist establishments are subject to inspections of hygiene and safety, in line with international standards.

“We would like to remind you that, as in any tourist destination, the possibility of gastrointestinal diseases occurring exists, but in Cape Verde this probability is minimized thanks to our rigorous control system and commitment to good practices.”

Cases across Europe

More than 20 people approached Irwin Mitchell after staying at Riu Funana Hotel in 2023. In 2022, 170 holidaymakers took legal action after falling ill at this hotel.

Hundreds of other holidaymakers instructed the firm following illness at other Cape Verde hotels in 2022, including 300 people who fell sick at the Riu Palace Santa Maria, another hotel on Sal. 

Jatinder Paul, from Irwin Mitchell, said: “The sheer volume of clients we’re continuing to see coming forward having fallen ill during stays in Cape Verde over the last three years is incredibly concerning.

“The numbers involved show that these aren’t isolated incidents. The fact that significant numbers are still approaching us with similar first-hand accounts points towards a worrying picture of ongoing illness that shows no sign of ending.”

In February 2023, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported an increase in shigellosis cases, mainly caused by Shigella sonnei, among travelers returning from Cape Verde. More than 250 infections were recorded in 10 European countries, the UK and the U.S. since September 2022.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/10/cape-verde-officials-respond-to-food-poisoning-claims/