Yet another serious illness claim arising from TUI holidays in Cape Verde

Holiday Lawyers • April 16, 2026

Holiday Lawyers continue to be instructed by clients who have suffered serious gastrointestinal illness following package holidays to Cape Verde. This latest instruction reflects a pattern seen repeatedly: holidaymakers returning to the UK with confirmed infections such as Shigella and Campylobacter, often linked to failures in food hygiene and sanitation standards within resort environments.


As one of the firm’s solicitors explains, “we are continuing to see a consistent stream of clients returning from Cape Verde with very similar illnesses, which raises real concerns about hygiene standards at a number of resorts.”


First-hand investigations into resort standards


Our team has previously taken the step of attending resorts in Cape Verde alongside independent food hygiene experts to assess standards on the ground. Those investigations identified systemic issues capable of causing precisely the type of illnesses now being reported.


Where hygiene practices fall below expected standards, the consequences for holidaymakers can be significant, particularly in all-inclusive environments where exposure is repeated over a number of days.


From acute illness to long-term complications


While many people associate food poisoning with a short-lived illness, the reality can be very different.


In this case, the client not only suffered acute gastrointestinal symptoms but went on to develop Reactive arthritis, a recognised complication following bacterial infections such as Shigella and Campylobacter.


Many holidaymakers remain unaware that an initial infection can lead to longer-term complications, including:


  • Post-infective irritable bowel syndrome
  • Joint pain and inflammation (reactive arthritis)
  • Chronic fatigue and systemic symptoms
  • Skin and autoimmune-related conditions


In more serious cases, these symptoms can persist for months, years, or indefinitely, affecting quality of life and the ability to work.


Our lawyers have acted for numerous clients in this position and have successfully recovered hundreds of thousands of pounds in damages for individuals who developed ongoing symptoms following an initial infection abroad.


Low initial offers from tour operators


A recurring feature in cases of this nature is the early compensation offer made directly by tour operators.


In this instance, a very low offer was made despite clear medical evidence of ongoing complications. Based on our experience, such offers can significantly undervalue claims, particularly where long-term consequences have not yet been fully assessed.


We have seen many cases where initial offers represent only a small proportion of the claim’s true value once expert medical evidence is obtained and the long-term impact is properly understood.


The importance of independent legal advice


Anyone who receives a compensation offer following illness abroad should consider obtaining independent legal advice before accepting it.


An early offer may not:


  • Reflect the full extent of medical evidence
  • Account for long-term complications
  • Include future losses or treatment needs


Holidaymakers are free to seek advice from a solicitor of their choosing, whether through Holiday Lawyers or another independent firm. The key point is that the claim is properly valued before any settlement is agreed.


A continuing pattern


This latest instruction adds to a growing body of claims arising from holidays in Cape Verde. The consistency of reported illnesses and complications suggests an ongoing issue requiring careful scrutiny.



Holiday Lawyers remain available to advise individuals who have suffered illness abroad and to provide an objective assessment of any compensation offer received.

By Holiday Lawyers • September 29, 2026
HolidayLawyers has been contacted by holidaymakers following a guest falling ill during a stay at the Nour Palace Resort & Thalasso in Mahdia, Tunisia and subsequently being medically diagnosed with salmonella . The guest stayed at the resort from 29 August to 8 September 2026 on an all inclusive package holiday booked through Sunshine.co.uk. Symptoms of gastrointestinal illness began while the guest was still staying at the hotel and continued after their return to the UK on 8 September. Following medical testing, salmonella was confirmed on 16 September 2026 . The illness has also resulted in the guest being unable to return to work, with a consequent loss of earnings. Previous reports of illness at the Nour Palace HolidayLawyers is investigating the circumstances surrounding the illness and has identified previous public reports from guests referring to gastrointestinal symptoms and concerns about food hygiene at the Nour Palace. Some reviews published during 2026 refer to guests suffering vomiting and diarrhoea and raise concerns about food preparation and temperature. Such reports do not establish the cause of an individual guest's illness. They can, however, be relevant when considered alongside medical evidence, the timing of symptoms and any evidence of similar illness affecting other guests. Confirmed salmonella diagnosis A laboratory confirmed diagnosis of salmonella is an important piece of evidence in a holiday illness claim. Our investigation will consider when symptoms began, the incubation period, food and drink consumed during the holiday, whether the guest ate predominantly within the hotel and whether other guests experienced similar symptoms. Where appropriate, evidence can also be sought concerning reported illness at the resort, food hygiene procedures, inspections and relevant health and safety records. Can a package holiday illness claim be made? Where a holiday was sold as a qualifying package, the package organiser may be legally responsible for the proper performance of the holiday services provided. The precise position depends upon the booking arrangements and documentation, which is why we examine documents including the booking confirmation and ATOL certificate at the outset. Where illness has caused additional financial loss, a claim can potentially include losses such as lost earnings , provided they can be supported by appropriate evidence. HolidayLawyers founder Aman Dhillon comments HolidayLawyers founder and Solicitor Advocate Aman Dhillon said: “A confirmed salmonella diagnosis following illness which began during a holiday deserves proper investigation. “We look at the medical evidence, the timing of the illness, what the client ate and drank, whether other guests were affected and the evidence surrounding conditions at the hotel during the relevant period. “The fact that somebody became ill abroad does not by itself establish liability, but where there is a confirmed bacterial infection and symptoms began during the holiday, there can be strong grounds for further investigation.” Salmonella or food poisoning after a holiday in Tunisia? HolidayLawyers specialises in serious holiday illness and accident claims. Our lawyers have decades of experience dealing with international travel litigation and gastrointestinal illness claims involving hotels and resorts overseas. If you stayed at the Nour Palace Resort & Thalasso in Mahdia , or another hotel in Tunisia, and developed salmonella, gastroenteritis or another significant gastric illness, we can assess the circumstances of your case. We act in appropriate cases under a No Win No Fee agreement , with any potential deductions explained clearly before you decide whether to proceed.  Contact HolidayLawyers for a confidential assessment of your holiday illness claim.
By Holiday Lawyers • September 17, 2026
Holiday Lawyers has been instructed by a British family following serious gastric illness suffered during a TUI holiday at the Riu Funana Resort in Cape Verde. The family of four travelled to Cape Verde on 27 July 2026 for a ten night holiday. Within the first few days of their stay, members of the family began suffering significant gastric symptoms, including severe diarrhoea and projectile vomiting . One member of the family continues to experience symptoms several weeks after returning to the UK and has provided stool samples to their GP for microbiological investigation. Concerns over food hygiene at Riu Funana Our clients have raised a number of concerns regarding food hygiene and food handling practices at the resort. They report witnessing what appeared to be raw chicken being handled before being returned for further cooking , together with concerns about the possible use of utensils between raw and cooked food. The family also reports that other holidaymakers appeared to be suffering similar gastric symptoms during the same period, including guests vomiting in communal toilet areas. A TUI representative at the resort was also reportedly approached regarding illness affecting guests. At this stage, microbiological investigations remain ongoing and no specific pathogen has yet been confirmed in our clients’ case. Gastric illness suffered abroad can range from a short lived stomach upset to a much more serious bacterial infection. Infections including Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella and certain strains of E. coli can cause severe diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and, in some cases, symptoms which continue for weeks or longer. Where symptoms persist following a return to the UK, stool testing and further medical investigation can be important in identifying the cause of the illness and determining whether a bacterial or other infectious organism is involved. Aman Dhillon, Founder of Holiday Lawyers and Solicitor Advocate, said: “We have been instructed by this family following a significant episode of gastric illness during what should have been an enjoyable family holiday. “The symptoms described to us, including severe diarrhoea and projectile vomiting, are concerning, particularly where symptoms have continued following the family’s return to the UK. “We are also concerned by the accounts we have received regarding the handling of raw chicken and reports that other holidaymakers were suffering similar illness at the resort. “We will now investigate the circumstances fully, including the microbiological evidence and the hygiene standards in place at the hotel, and will seek answers on behalf of our clients.” Holiday Lawyers has acted for thousands of holidaymakers and recovered millions of pounds in damages for people who have suffered serious illness or injury whilst abroad. Our lawyers also have substantial experience of investigating holiday illness in Cape Verde. They have personally visited and inspected hotels in Cape Verde, investigating hygiene standards and the circumstances surrounding illness amongst holidaymakers . Aman has also represented families in some of the most serious holiday illness cases, including cases involving Salmonella infection and fatalities , and has a particular interest in the microbiological evidence arising in food poisoning and gastric illness claims. Have you been ill at the Riu Funana Resort in Cape Verde? Holiday Lawyers would like to hear from anyone who stayed at the Riu Funana Resort in Cape Verde and suffered diarrhoea, vomiting, food poisoning or other gastric symptoms during or shortly after their holiday. Evidence from other guests staying at the resort during the same period can be important when investigating whether illness was an isolated incident or formed part of a wider pattern affecting holidaymakers.  If you or a member of your family became ill following a stay at the Riu Funana Resort, contact Holiday Lawyers for a confidential discussion about what happened.