Cape Verde illness: What it means for your holiday rights

More than 1,700 British holidaymakers are taking action after falling ill in Cape Verde. It’s a stark reminder that if you get sick abroad, knowing what to do, right away can make all the difference.

For many British holidaymakers, a week in Cape Verde was meant to be carefree, sunshine, all-inclusive food, and a break from everyday life.

Instead, hundreds came home seriously ill. Now, more than 1,700 people are taking legal action against Tui following reports of widespread gastric illness linked to holidays in the region. Allegations include poor hygiene standards and unsafe food or water, issues that, if proven, raise serious questions about responsibility.

It’s an extreme case, but it’s also a useful one, because it highlights that if you get ill on holiday, what you do next really matters.

Your holiday rights

If you booked a package holiday, meaning your flights and accommodation were sold together then you’re protected under UK law.

That means the tour operator is responsible for ensuring:

Your accommodation is safe
Food and drink meet proper hygiene standards
Services are delivered as promised

So if your illness was caused by something like contaminated food or poor conditions, it may not just be “one of those things”. It could be grounds for a claim.

The biggest mistake people make

When illness hits abroad, most people wait, they assume it’s minor. They don’t want to disrupt the trip, so they hope it passes. And sometimes it does, but in situations like Cape Verde, many travellers later realised:

Their symptoms were more serious than expected
Other guests were also affected
They had no official record of what happened

That last point is key, as no record makes it much harder to prove your case later.

What to do if you get ill on holiday

You don’t need to panic, but you do need to act.

Report it

Tell:

The hotel
Your tour operator rep
Your insurer

Ask for it to be logged, as even a brief report can make a big difference later.

Get medical help

It’s not just about treatment, it’s about evidence.

A doctor’s report:

Confirms your illness
Provides a diagnosis
Creates an independent record

Keep copies of everything, including any prescriptions and receipts for drugs or medications.

Document what you can

If something doesn’t look right, take a photo.

This could include:

Food that seems undercooked
Dirty buffet areas
Poor hygiene practices

It might feel awkward, but it can help to build powerful evidence.

Keep a record of your symptoms

Write down:

When you became ill
What you ate or drank
How long symptoms lasted

Memory fades quickly. Notes made at the time carry far more weight.

Hold onto receipts and paperwork

This includes:

Medical costs
Transport (e.g. taxis to hospital)
Booking details

These help show both what happened and what expenses you covered.

Travel insurance vs compensation: What’s the difference?

This is where many people often get confused.

Travel insurance helps you in the moment.
It usually covers:

Emergency treatment
Hospital stays
Getting you home

But it typically doesn’t cover:

Poor hygiene
Negligence
A ruined holiday

That’s where a compensation claim may come in.

In short, think:

Insurance = immediate support
Compensation = holding someone accountable

Can you claim?

If your illness was caused by something the hotel or tour operator should have prevented, you may be entitled to compensation.

This can include:

Medical costs
Loss of enjoyment
Ongoing health issues

In more serious cases, claims can be significant, particularly where long-term harm is involved.

How long do you have?

In most cases, you have three years to make a personal injury claim.

But waiting can weaken your case.

The sooner you act, the easier it is to:

Gather evidence
Recall details
Support your claim

The bigger picture

The Cape Verde situation is unusual in scale, but not in principle. Holiday illness happens every year and while most trips go smoothly, problems can arise even in popular, well-known destinations. The key isn’t to worry, it’s to be prepared.

If you get ill on holiday: