Cape Verde among the destinations with the most cases of gastrointestinal infections in UK travelers
The UKHSA has included Cape Verde among the top six destinations with the highest number of cases of gastrointestinal infections in UK travelers in 2024, highlighting the importance of taking care with food and hygiene during international travel.
Data released by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal that Cape Verde is among the six destinations with the highest number of cases of travel-associated gastrointestinal infections recorded in England during 2024.
According to the report, 65% of travel-associated infections were gastrointestinal in nature, totaling 2,703 cases - a 64% increase on the 1,648 cases recorded in 2022. The countries with the highest number of reported cases among travelers were: Turkey (417 cases), Spain (268), India (202), Egypt, Greece and Cape Verde.
Most cases occurred in the summer months, with peaks in September and October. Children under the age of 10 and adults between the ages of 21 and 30 were the most affected. The UKHSA points out that the number of cases does not necessarily reflect the proportional risk of each destination, as it does not take into account the total volume of journeys made.
The report also highlights that leisure tourists and business travelers face different risks, with infections from undercooked food, contaminated water and poor hygiene conditions in eating places being common.
The agency recommends preventative measures such as avoiding tap water and ice, opting for well-cooked meals, washing hands frequently, and seeking medical advice before traveling.
