A holidaymaker was rushed to hospital after falling ill at at a holiday hotspot at the centre of a deadly sickness outbreak. Alisha Hussain, 21, vomited blood and suffered seizures during her £900pp holiday to Cape Verde, West Africa.
It has twice been gripped by an outbreak of contagious bacterial infection shigella in recent years and seven Brits are suspected to have died since January 2023 following trips there.
Alisha, from Rotherham, South Yorks., was rushed to hospital after she lost consciousness and her friend had to seek help from hotel staff. She said: “I became the most unwell I’ve ever been in my life.
“At one point I lost consciousness and was choking on my own vomit. 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.”
Alisha is one of a group of 56 holidaymakers seeking legal action after falling ill at the five-star Riu Karamboa resort, booked through tour operator Tui.
She is joined by the relatives of two men who died after suffering gastric illness while staying at the resort in 2024 and 2025.
Lawyers from Irwin Mitchell represent more than 1,700 British holidaymakers who have fallen ill across various resorts in the west African country since 2022.
Jatinder Paul, expert international serious injury lawyer at the firm, said: “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.”
Mark Watts, 55, and his wife Tracy, 56, have also instructed lawyers to investigate after their wedding anniversary trip last July turned to disaster.
Medically retired Tracy, who has type one diabetes said she experienced uncontrollable blood sugars, diarrhoea, vomiting, shivering and breathlessness, requiring medical attention.
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, of Swindon, said towels in their room were smelly and the pool towels were stained and smelled. She added: “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.
“This was meant to be a special anniversary trip, but it was ruined by illness.”
Norwich couple Kevin and Claire Reynolds also fell ill during a Valentine’s trip to the resort last year. Kevin, 55, contracted shigella and suffered severe diarrhoea and sickness, which caused dangerously high blood sugar levels due to his diabetes.
He continues to suffer from headaches, vertigo, and ongoing bowel issues and has lost more than a stone in weight. Claire also suffered diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and headaches and is still experiencing symptoms more than a year on.
Both sort medical advice on returning to the UK, with tests confirming Kevin had shigella.
Kevin said: “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.”
Tui has been contacted for comment.
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