Holiday Lawyers has been instructed to investigate a claim on behalf of a passenger who became seriously unwell with a confirmed Shigella infection during an all inclusive TUI river cruise in January 2026. Our client developed gastrointestinal symptoms while travelling and subsequently sought medical assistance. She has supporting evidence from her GP together with laboratory test results confirming that she contracted Shigella. Despite this medical evidence, TUI has so far declined to accept responsibility for the illness. What is Shigella? Shigella is a highly infectious bacterial infection affecting the digestive system. The illness it causes is known as shigellosis or bacillary dysentery. According to the UK Health Security Agency, symptoms can include: Diarrhoea, which may contain blood Severe stomach cramps Fever Nausea and vomiting Headaches Loss of appetite Symptoms commonly begin between one and three days after exposure, although it can take up to a week for a person to become unwell. While many people recover within several days, the illness can last for up to two weeks and some patients require hospital treatment. Shigella is not simply another name for food poisoning. It is a specific bacterial infection which can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, contact with contaminated surfaces or direct person to person transmission. Only a very small quantity of the bacteria is required to cause infection. Illness aboard cruise ships and river cruises Cruise holidays can present particular infection control challenges because large numbers of passengers and crew share dining facilities, toilets, communal areas and frequently touched surfaces. Where appropriate hygiene and infection control procedures are not followed, an infectious organism may spread rapidly. Important measures can include: Effective handwashing facilities Proper cleaning and disinfection of communal areas Safe food preparation and storage Appropriate management of drinking water Prompt isolation of passengers or crew displaying symptoms Accurate recording and reporting of illness Enhanced cleaning following reports of gastrointestinal symptoms An individual case must always be investigated on its own evidence. Relevant material may include medical records, laboratory results, the timing of symptoms, food and excursion histories, hygiene documentation and evidence of similar illness among other passengers or crew. TUI has denied responsibility Our client initially approached TUI directly but was unable to resolve the matter. She also sought assistance from her travel insurer and ABTA before instructing Holiday Lawyers. We are now investigating the circumstances in which she became infected, the hygiene and infection control arrangements operating during the cruise and whether other passengers experienced similar symptoms. TUI’s present refusal to accept responsibility does not determine whether a viable legal claim exists. Tour operators frequently dispute holiday illness claims at an early stage, even where a passenger has clear medical evidence confirming the organism responsible. Where a cruise forms part of a package holiday, the tour operator may be legally responsible for the proper performance of the travel services included within the package under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. “Laboratory confirmation is important evidence” Aman Dhillon, Founder of Holiday Lawyers and a specialist international travel lawyer, said: “We have been instructed by a passenger who has laboratory evidence confirming that she contracted Shigella following illness during an all inclusive TUI river cruise. “Shigella can cause a severe and extremely unpleasant illness. It is also highly infectious and can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, contaminated surfaces or person to person contact. “The fact that a tour operator has declined to accept responsibility does not bring the matter to an end. We will now investigate the evidence surrounding the infection, the hygiene arrangements aboard the cruise and whether there were reports of illness affecting any other passengers.” Aman has acted for thousands of clients affected by illness abroad and has recovered millions of pounds in damages on their behalf. Unlike volume law firms, Holiday Lawyers is a specialist practice focused on helping people who have become seriously unwell while on holiday. Every case receives specialist attention and Aman remains personally involved in the strategic and technical conduct of each claim. Were you ill on the same TUI river cruise? Holiday Lawyers would like to hear from anyone who travelled on a TUI river cruise in January 2026 and developed diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Evidence from other passengers may help establish whether there was a wider pattern of illness aboard the vessel. If you became unwell during or following a TUI cruise, contact Holiday Lawyers for a free initial assessment. We may be able to investigate your case under a no win, no fee agreement. Contact Holiday Lawyers today to discuss your potential holiday illness claim.