More than 50 British tourists instruct lawyers after falling ill at Cape Verde's Riu Karamboa resort

A group of 56 British holidaymakers have instructed lawyers to investigate after being struck down by serious illnesses linked to a luxury resort in Cape Verde.

Expert international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been contacted by dozens of tourists who have fallen ill during all-inclusive holidays at the five-star Riu Karamboa resort in Boa Vista since 2023.

They include a group of 10 holidaymakers who stayed at resort as recently as January 2026.

Their holidays, in some cases costing up to £5,000, were all booked through tour operator Tui.

Riu Karamboa hoidaymakers describe illness symptoms

The latest group include a young woman from Rotherham who suffered seizures, vomiting blood, and ongoing neurological symptoms. A man from Norwich was diagnosed with the bacterial infection shigella, while a couple from Swindon experienced persistent gastric illness, including diarrhoea and vomiting.

Among those in the wider group of 56 that Irwin Mithell represent are the loved ones of two men aged in their 60s and 50s who both died after suffering gastric illness while staying at the Riu Karamboa in November 2024 and November 2025 respectively.

Lawyers supporting more than 1,700 UK holidaymakers to Cape Verde who have fallen ill

Overall, Irwin Mitchell represents more than 1,700 British holidaymakers who have fallen ill across various resorts in the west African country since 2022.

Jatinder Paul, the expert international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing those who have fallen ill, said: “This is yet another resort in Cape Verde that has come under the spotlight following reports of serious illness.

 

“It really is staggering how hygiene issues across Cape Verde seemingly continue to be allowed to manifest, with many of our clients contracting serious bacterial infections. We’re already representing more than 1,700 British holidaymakers who have suffered gastric illness linked to holidays on the islands.

 

“Illnesses like shigella are serious and can lead to long-term health complications. It’s vital that if any issues are identified, swift action is taken to eradicate the risks to other holidaymakers. Yet, several years on, we continue to be contacted by people all with similar concerns and complaints.

 

“Tour operators are responsible for ensuring the safety of those who have booked all-inclusive package holidays. Therefore, we urge them to ensure the highest hygiene and safety standards are always upheld.”

Rotherham woman Alisha Hussain suffered seizures after falling ill in Cape Verde

Alisha Hussain, 21, travelled to Cape Verde on 24 July, 2025, for a week-long holiday with a friend. However, three days into the holiday costing just over £900 per person, Alisha fell ill with symptoms including diarrhoea.

Her illness escalated to vomiting blood and having seizures. Alisha lost consciousness and her friend had to seek help from hotel staff.

Alisha was taken to a clinic where her blood sugar was found to be dangerously low due to the illness.

On returning to the UK, she went straight to A&E.

Alisha said: “I went on this holiday expecting to be safe and to have an enjoyable experience, but instead I became the most unwell I’ve ever been in my life.

 

“I was left vomiting blood, having seizures, and at one point I lost consciousness and was choking on my own vomit. My friend had to fight to get help from the hotel.

 

“The smell in our room was awful. Even though I complained it was never dealt with while the snack bar and dining hall were swarming with flies. Not only was my holiday ruined but I’ve been left traumatised.  

 

“The hotel is marketed as a five-star resort but my experience of it was anything but that. I want answers but I also don’t want anyone else to go through what I did.”

Swindon couple suffer illness on wedding anniversary holiday

Mark Watts, 55, and his wife Tracy, 56, from Swindon, booked a late wedding anniversary trip to Cape Verde in July 2025. Three days into their fortnight holiday costing just under £3,000, the couple, who have four children between them, both fell ill.

Tracy, who has type one diabetes said she experienced uncontrollable blood sugars, diarrhoea, vomiting, shivering, and breathlessness, requiring medical attention from a doctor abroad.

She was treated with IV and oral anti-biotics, anti-nausea medication, and fluids, but believes she suffered an allergic reaction to the antibiotics.

Tracy, who is medically retired, continued to feel unwell after returning home and contacted her GP for further advice as her symptoms had persisted.  They are still not fully resolved

Mark, an IT Manager, said his symptoms persisted throughout the holiday and have also not fully resolved.

Tracy said: “Towels in the room were frequently smelly and the pool towels were stained and smelled. There was a strong sewage smell coming from the toilet and shower drain in the hotel room.

 

“Food in the restaurant was uncovered, was never at the right temperature, and seemed to be often reheated in front of guests.

 

“Flies and birds were everywhere in the restaurant. I saw one chef handling raw meat with no gloves, and food tongs were dirty and mixed between foods.

 

“The pool bar smelt of urine. We heard other guests complaining about illness and saw people avoiding the hotel food despite it being all-inclusive. This was meant to be a special anniversary trip, but it was ruined by illness.”

Norwich man who stayed at Riu Karamboa diagnosed with shigella

Kevin Reynolds, 62, and his wife Claire, 55, from Norwich travelled to Cape Verde for a week-long holiday on the 13 February, 2025.

The holiday costing £2,700 was meant to be a break to celebrate Kevin’s birthday and Valentine’s Day.

The couple, who have two grown up children each and seven grandchildren between them both became ill towards the end of their stay.

Kevin, an independent financial advisor, contracted shigella and suffered severe diarrhoea and sickness, which caused dangerously high blood sugar levels due to his diabetes.

He continues to experience headaches, vertigo, and ongoing bowel issues. Kevin has lost more than a stone in weight.

Claire also suffered diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and headaches, and is still experiencing symptoms.

Both sort medical advice on returning to the UK, with tests confirming Kevin had shigella.

His illness forced Kevin to take four weeks off work, resulting in lost clients, while Claire had to pay family members to help care for their children.

Kevin said: “We noticed flies in the restaurant and cats roaming the resort. The buffet served up to 900 guests, but we saw dirty cutlery and poor hygiene at the pool bar.

 

“Guests were picking up food and putting it back, and staff didn’t always clean tables properly. We rarely get to go on holiday, and this was supposed to be a special break. Instead, our illnesses ruined our holiday which turned into a nightmare.  

 

“I was so unwell by the end of the holiday that at the airport I felt I was going to pass out, and even the man at passport control asked if I was okay.

 

“Claire and I just aren’t right, and it’s had a huge impact on both of us.”

Find out more about how we're supporting those affected by illness linked to holidays to Cape Verde at our dedicated Cape Verde holiday illness claims section.