Boy’s Illness At Sol Dunas Hotel Follows 70 Earlier Cases Reported To Lawyers

A Hampshire couple whose son was diagnosed with salmonella and typhoid during a holiday in Cape Verde have called on lawyers to investigate.

Jairon Lloyd-Boyt, aged six, developed stomach cramps sickness, and diarrhoea one day into a two week stay at the Sol Dunas Hotel in Sal, Cape Verde.

Dad, John Lloyd, aged 39, and mum Katrina Boyt, aged 43, also fell ill over the next three days with the same symptoms.

Six-year-old taken to hospital where he tested positive for salmonella and typhoid

Jairon was taken to hospital in Cape Verde. John and Katrina paid for tests in a private clinic which came back positive for salmonella and typhoid.

The family, on their first holiday together, were so ill, they decided to cut their stay short and booked a return flight after five days. While mum and dad’s condition improved, Jairon still hasn’t fully recovered and continues to take medication.

Lawyers asked to investigate family’s illnesses

John and Katrina from New Milton, Hampshire, have instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the family’s illnesses.

In 2022, Irwin Mitchell was instructed by 70 British holidaymakers who reported being struck down with gastric illnesses following stays at the Sol Dunas hotel.

Jatinder Paul is the international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting the family.

Expert Opinion

“A family holiday is meant to be a relaxing time where happy memories are made but John, Katrina and Jairon’s story is deeply concerning.

“There are few things worse than seeing your child fall seriously ill abroad and even now, Jairon hasn’t fully recovered from contracting salmonella and typhoid. The family’s swift action in seeking help as soon as Jairon fell ill likely prevented his condition from becoming far worse.

“The family have a number of questions over if lessons were ever learned from past events and why holidaymakers still being sent to the same resort when they continue to report the same gastric illnesses.

“The family believe others at the hotel were also ill and as part of our investigations, we would be interested in hearing from anyone staying at the hotel at the same time.” Jatinder Paul

Salmonella and typhoid: Jairon, John and Katrina’s story

Jairon, John and Katrina travelled to Cape Verde on 14 November, 2023. The holiday was booked through tour operator TUI.

John, a self-employed business owner who owns a gym and barber shop, fell ill with similar symptoms to his son on 17 November, and Katrina was struck down the next day. There was also a power cut on 18 November, with power not restored until the next day.

The family were forced to fetch water from the pool to flush the toilet while ill and booked flights to return home on 19 November. They were so keen to leave, they took the first available Gatwick flight as they couldn’t get a flight to their original destination of Bristol.

Jairon’s dad reveals family gave another couple number of clinic that helped them

John said: “We’d all been looking forward to this holiday for several reasons and it turned out to be the worst decision of our lives. I’ve been working hard on the business and Katrina and I hadn’t been away in 10 years. It was Jairon’s first time abroad too so we’d all set our hearts on it.

“We were immediately concerned about the hygiene and food at the hotel on arrival and when Jairon fell ill, our worst fears were confirmed. Food was served uncovered and several chicken and meatball dishes we saw were still raw. Insects, flies and stray cats were everywhere.

“Having worked as a chef, I thought the food preparation wasn’t right.

“We suspected food poisoning, but it was still a shock when Jairon tested positive for salmonella and typhoid. As he didn’t improve and Katrina and I also fell ill, we felt we had to get home for our own safety, no matter what the cost and the power cut was the last straw.

“All three of us were ill by that point and the holiday being ruined was the last thing on our mind. The power cut was scary, given we were all sick and delirious and having to collect pool water to flush the toilet. Despite this, the restaurant had remained open and you have to wonder now how they were cooking or cleaning anything at this stage.

“Before leaving, we went online and saw reports other people had fallen ill in Sal. We gave one couple details of the private clinic that helped us.

“We feel we deserve to know what happened to us and our son and to have reassurances that steps have been taken so this doesn’t happen to another family.”

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