Lawyer who inspected Cape Verde hotel shares concern for holidaymakers
Holiday Lawyers • March 30, 2026
Holiday Lawyers is concerned to learn of further reported fatalities in Cape Verde, which may be linked to poor hygiene standards in hotels and form part of a wider pattern of serious gastrointestinal illness affecting British travellers.
Our lawyers have previously travelled to Cape Verde to investigate conditions within resort hotels and have been concerned by what they observed in relation to food hygiene and safety practices. We have been contacted by a number of individuals who have suffered significant illness following holidays in Cape Verde, and we have extensive experience handling claims arising from such outbreaks.
Our lead partner has dealt with multiple cases involving illness in Cape Verde and was directly involved in investigations on the ground. These issues have also attracted national media attention, including reporting by The Telegraph.
He previously led the team at Irwin Mitchell acting for claimants affected by illness outbreaks in Cape Verde. While that firm continues to represent individuals in similar cases, he now brings that experience and insight to clients through Holiday Lawyers.
Three deaths on cruise ship linked to suspected hantavirus outbreak: what holidaymakers need to know
A serious health incident has emerged aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, with three passengers dead and others critically ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak. The situation highlights that holiday illness risks are not confined to food poisoning, but can extend to rare and potentially fatal infections where hygiene and safety controls fall below acceptable standards. What happened on the cruise ship? Reports confirm that a 70-year-old passenger became unwell and died onboard, his wife later died after evacuation to hospital, and a third passenger has also died. Another British passenger remains in intensive care. Multiple cases have been identified, with at least one confirmed hantavirus infection. The cruise was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde when the outbreak occurred. What is hantavirus and why does it matter legally? Hantavirus is a rare but serious infection typically linked to exposure to rodent contamination (droppings, urine, or saliva). Its presence on a cruise ship raises immediate questions about pest control measures, environmental hygiene standards, maintenance of passenger areas, and whether risks were properly identified and managed. If conditions onboard allowed exposure to occur, it may represent a failure in safety systems. Liability in cruise ship illness claims Where illness arises during a cruise or package holiday, liability is governed by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Cruise operators must ensure that onboard conditions are safe and provided with reasonable care and skill. Where there are failures in hygiene, pest control, environmental safety, or medical response, affected passengers may be entitled to bring a claim. Cruise ship illness claims: beyond food poisoning Most holiday illness claims involve norovirus outbreaks, food poisoning, or contaminated water. However, any illness caused by unsafe conditions during a holiday can form the basis of a claim. The focus is whether the risk should have been prevented, whether proper systems were in place, and whether the operator acted appropriately. Proven experience in cruise illness claims At Holiday Lawyers, our lawyers have extensive experience recovering damages for passengers affected by illness, hygiene failures, and health issues on cruise ships, including cases involving large numbers of affected travellers. Holiday Lawyers is also currently acting for a number of individuals who have experienced issues on cruise ships, reflecting the continued frequency of illness outbreaks and safety concerns within the sector. What should passengers do if they fall ill on a cruise? Passengers should seek medical attention immediately, report symptoms to onboard staff, document conditions where possible, retain medical records and receipts, and avoid signing documents without advice. Early evidence is often decisive. A wider issue in the cruise industry Cruise ships are contained environments where illness can spread rapidly if hygiene or safety systems fail. Operators are expected to maintain robust sanitation protocols, effective pest control systems, and immediate outbreak response procedures. How Holiday Lawyers can assist Holiday Lawyers specialise in serious holiday illness and cruise ship claims, including cases involving hospitalisation, long-term complications, and multi-claimant outbreaks. The focus is on building clear, evidence-driven cases that establish breach and causation. Final thought This incident is a reminder that cruise illness claims are not limited to minor gastric issues. Where safety systems fail, the consequences can be severe and operators will be expected to answer for those failures.
We are currently instructed by a number of individuals who contracted Salmonella poisoning whilst staying at a resort in Sicily on an all-inclusive package holiday booked through Jet2holidays. Early indications suggest this may form part of a wider outbreak affecting multiple guests at the same hotel . If you were affected, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. What Has Happened? We have now been contacted by several holidaymakers who report: Severe gastrointestinal illness during or shortly after their stay Confirmed or suspected Salmonella infection Multiple guests at the same resort falling ill at the same time In one case, our client contracted Salmonella poisoning in Sicily and was hospitalised for 8 days upon return to the UK . The situation was made more serious by underlying type 1 diabetes , significantly increasing the risks and complications. We are also aware of at least one fellow guest staying at the same hotel who became seriously ill with the same condition , raising serious concerns about food hygiene and infection control standards at the resort. Why This Matters Salmonella is not a minor illness. It can cause: Severe dehydration Prolonged diarrhoea and vomiting Hospitalisation in serious cases Increased risk where there are underlying health conditions Whilst many travellers reasonably expect high food hygiene standards within European resorts, our experience shows that this is not always the case. Our lawyers have previously acted for a family in a tragic case where a family member died after contracting Salmonella at the Grand Hotel in Italy. That case underlines the fact that, whilst uncommon, the consequences of foodborne illness can be extremely serious where proper standards are not maintained. Where multiple guests fall ill at the same hotel, this often points to systemic failures , such as: Contaminated food or poor food handling practices Inadequate hygiene standards Cross-contamination within buffet or kitchen areas Your Legal Rights If your holiday was booked as a package, your claim is governed by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. In straightforward terms: Your tour operator has a legal responsibility to ensure the hotel is safe You do not need to pursue the hotel abroad Claims are brought in the UK against the package provider Where illness arises due to poor hygiene or unsafe food, that is typically a clear breach of duty . Evidence Is Key If you were affected, the following can materially strengthen your claim: Medical records (UK or abroad) Stool sample confirmation of Salmonella Photographs of food, hygiene issues, or the hotel environment Booking confirmation showing the package provider Details of other guests who were ill Even if you do not have all of the above, you should still get in touch. We can assist in gathering the necessary evidence. A Pattern of Illness One of the most significant factors in cases like this is multiple guests becoming ill at the same resort . Where that pattern emerges, it strengthens: The argument that the illness originated at the hotel The likelihood of a common source outbreak The overall evidential position against the tour operator We are currently assessing whether this situation forms part of a larger cluster of claims . How We Can Help At Holiday Lawyers, we specialise in holiday illness claims , including outbreaks involving Salmonella, E. coli and other gastrointestinal infections. We have acted in claims involving: Major tour operators Large-scale hotel outbreaks High-value claims involving hospitalisation and complications We understand both the medical evidence and the legal framework required to pursue these cases effectively. Get in Touch If you stayed at a resort in Sicily with Jet2holidays and suffered from food poisoning or Salmonella, we would like to hear from you. You may have a claim for compensation, particularly where: You required medical treatment or hospitalisation Other guests were also unwell Your illness disrupted your holiday or recovery on return Contact Holiday Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim.
