RIVM has warned travellers to Cape Verde about a shigellosis risk. The bacterial infection causes severe bloody diarrhoea and fever. Eight Dutch travellers were diagnosed with shigellosis in September and October 2025. These people had been staying in resorts on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista.
Other European countries have also reported shigellosis cases in patients who had been in Cape Verde. RIVM has notified local health organisations and shared the reported cases with international colleages. It is not currently clear exactly how the patients were exposed to the bacteria. However, it is clear that this is the same strain of Shigella bacteria that caused an outbreak on the island of Sal in 2022.
Serious intestinal infection
Shigellosis is a serious intestinal infection caused by Shigella bacteria. Symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever and sometimes vomiting. A person with shigellosis excretes the bacteria in their stool (poop). This means that the bacteria can spread through hand contact with food, objects or surfaces. It is easy for a person with shigellosis to transmit the bacteria to others.
Tips for travellers
It is important for people to be aware of the Shigella outbreak on the Cape Verdean islands. There are certain health risks as a result of the outbreak. Travellers can make an informed decision about whether or not they want to visit Sal or Boa Vista. RIVM also advises contacting the travel organisation if you have any questions.
If you are travelling in that area and develop relevant symptoms, such as severe (bloody) diarrhoea and fever, contact a local doctor. If you develop symptoms after returning to the Netherlands, call your GP and let them know that you were recently on Sal or Boa Vista.
General hygiene
It is difficult to prevent exposure to shigellosis. Good hygiene can help to minimise the risk:
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Flush the toilet with the lid closed.
- Clean the toilet immediately after every use.
- Change the hand towel after each time that someone with diarrhoea uses the toilet.
RIVM also advises people travelling to a tropical or subtropical country to drink clean, bottled water. Avoid drinking tap water. Preferably avoid eating any raw products. The RIVM website has more information on shigellosis.
Association with outbreak in 2022
In 2022, there were multiple reported cases of shigellosis in the Netherlands and in other European countries. That outbreak also involved people who had gone on holiday to resorts on the island of Sal. There were dozens of reported cases of shigellosis in the Netherlands at that time. In 2023 and 2024, there were only a few reported cases. Confirmed cases of shigellosis have been rising again since the start of autumn 2025.