Cabo Verde Resort Outbreak; Over 1,000 Tourists Stricken with Severe Shigellosis

Since September 2022, over 1,000 confirmed and possible cases of shigellosis and other gastrointestinal infections have been reported among travelers returning from the Republic of Cabo Verde to Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

New cases continue to emerge in late March 2026, more than three years into the outbreak.

This information comes from the latest update by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In an epidemiological alert published on March 18, 2026, the ECDC reported a total of 766 confirmed and suspected cases of shigellosis across 13 EU/EEA countries, the UK, and the US.

Additionally, around 300 cases of other gastrointestinal infections — including salmonellosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, campylobacteriosis, and pathogenic Escherichia coli — have also been identified.

Despite ongoing investigations by local, European, and international health authorities, the exact source of these infections, which are believed to be food- or waterborne, has not yet been identified. Most of the affected travelers had stayed at the same hotel chain in the Santa Maria region on the island of Sal, a popular all-inclusive resort destination.

Cabo Verde is an archipelago of islands and islets located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 385 miles off the coast of West Africa.

As of March 24, 2026, the United Kingdom has reported 263 cases, while the United States has reported 7 cases.

The ECDC assesses the likelihood of new infections among travelers visiting the Santa Maria region of Sal as moderate, as the source remains uncontrolled. The dominant strain identified is Shigella sonnei, which causes severe diarrhea (often bloody), fever, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Some strains exhibit antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment.

Further cases are anticipated until effective control measures are put in place.

Travelers returning from Sal who experience persistent diarrhea, bloody stools, fever, or severe stomach cramps should seek medical attention immediately and inform their healthcare provider about their recent travel history.

Currently, no licensed vaccine is available for shigellosis or the other pathogens involved in this outbreak. However, promising candidates such as Valneva and LimmaTech's tetravalent Shigella4V2 (S4V2) bioconjugate vaccine candidate are advancing through Phase 2 clinical trials.