Lawsuit Claims Nearly 1,000 Tourists Got Sick on Luxury Vacation

Getting sick on vacation isn't a unique experience, but according to a lawsuit in the U.K., nearly 1,000 British tourists have similar vacation illness stories in common. 

A new report in The Telegraph outlines the class-action case being brought by 926 people who have visited luxury hotel resorts in Cape Verde in the past three years. The suit claims that travelers who have stayed here have come down with infections like shigella and salmonella, leaving some bedridden for the duration of their trip. 

A total of 806 people came forward with their stories in 2022. They were followed by 65 in 2023 and 55 so far this year. 

"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," lawyer Jatinder Paul, who's representing the upset tourists, told The Telegraph. He noted that the amount of people speaking out shows there's a much deeper issue here. 

"The numbers involved show that these aren’t isolated incidents. The fact that significant numbers are still approaching us with similar firsthand accounts points towards a worrying picture of ongoing illness that shows no sign of ending," he said. 

"Those we represent rightly have a number of concerns over how such illnesses have occurred over such a period of time," he added. "Gastric illness can result in long-term health problems or even death, and the fear is this could end in tragedy if something isn’t done to address the underlying causes."

Cordelia Plummer, 56, is one of those concerned tourists, as she herself noticed that food was often served uncovered and lukewarm. 

"What was meant to be a dream two weeks on a wonderful island turned into a holiday Ian and myself will now do our best to forget," she said. "What started as headaches and a feeling of nausea, became the worst sickness and diarrhea I’ve ever known. I think everyone has probably had an upset stomach at one time or another, but I have never felt so ill."

You might want to check the reviews of your next hotel for any possible food issues.