Four Brits Dead in Three Months: Cape Verde’s Outbreak Crisis
In recent months, four British tourists have tragically lost their lives in Cape Verde, raising serious concerns about the quality of healthcare on the islands. The deaths come after the tourists contracted illnesses attributed to inadequate medical facilities and conditions during their stays.
Fatalities in Cape Verde
- Elena Walsh: Aged 64, she fell seriously ill shortly after her arrival on August 1, 2022, for a Tui holiday. Doctors misdiagnosed her with appendicitis, and during surgery, she suffered a fatal heart attack.
- Karen Pooley: Aged 64, she arrived on October 7. After falling ill, she was diagnosed with a fractured femur. Despite the seriousness of her condition, she died just days later, with septic shock noted as a primary cause of death.
- Mark Ashley: Aged 55, he became ill during his stay, experiencing severe symptoms. He returned to the UK on October 17 but passed away in November with an inconclusive cause of death.
- David Smith: Aged 54, he also suffered from symptoms similar to the others. He died after being diagnosed with cardiovascular complications and gastroenteritis.
Outbreak of Illness
All four tourists were reported to be staying at various Riu hotels while in Cape Verde. A significant outbreak of shigella, a bacterial infection leading to severe gastrointestinal illness, was noted at the time, prompting health warnings from UK officials.
Statistics and Concerns
The UK Health Security Agency identified a total of 137 shigella cases linked to recent travel to Cape Verde between October and December 2022. The overwhelming majority of these cases were reported by returning tourists.
The rapid increase in illnesses has prompted questions about the safety of tourists in Cape Verde. Families have voiced concerns regarding the quality of healthcare facilities, with some comparing local clinics to “war zones.”
Healthcare Quality and Travel Advisories
The Foreign Office has noted that healthcare in Cape Verde is “very basic and limited,” which raises serious concerns about its capability to handle medical emergencies effectively. Following these fatalities, authorities in Cape Verde have called for urgent improvements in local healthcare services, particularly in controlling outbreaks and medical response protocols.
Despite these issues, Tui continues to offer package holidays to Cape Verde, which raises additional questions about the responsibilities of travel companies in ensuring the safety of their customers.
Preventive Measures and Future Actions
In light of the ongoing risks, health officials are advising travelers to practice good hygiene. Recommendations include washing hands frequently, consuming only freshly prepared hot food, and avoiding untreated water.
Both Tui and Riu Hotels have expressed condolences for the affected families and promised to further collaborate with local authorities to enhance the safety standards. However, many families feel that existing risks are unacceptable and warn others against traveling to Cape Verde without full awareness of the potential dangers.
The tragedies of Elena Walsh, Karen Pooley, Mark Ashley, and David Smith echo as a call for increased vigilance regarding travel health issues and the necessity for improved medical care on holiday destinations.
