“Government responds to international news about Shigella bacteria, clarifying that there have been no official reports and ensuring the protection of tourists and residents”
The Government of Cape Verde, through a firm stance taken by the Minister of Tourism and Transport, has publicly and formally contested recent reports published by various foreign media outlets. At issue are allegations linking the archipelago to a possible outbreak of Shigella, information that the Executive classifies as lacking technical validation and unsupported by official international notifications.
The reaction comes after reports, particularly in the UK media, suggested a link between stays in Cape Verdean hotels and cases of bacterial infection. In view of this situation, the Government would like to clarify that it has not received any formal notification, either through diplomatic channels or through international health surveillance channels, identifying Cape Verde as the source of an epidemiological outbreak.
Direct responses to the accusations
The Cape Verdean authorities base their challenge on three central pillars. First, the absence of any declaration of an outbreak by the national health authorities, which maintain constant monitoring throughout the territory. Second, the total absence of official communication from the British health authorities or international health organizations on the subject.
Finally, the Government emphasizes that sensitive matters such as public health should not be managed on the basis of isolated reports or news items without proper technical verification. Cape Verde maintains that institutional cooperation is the only way to deal with such occurrences and regrets that the country's image is being affected by information that does not follow the structured communication protocols between States.
Summary of points of contention
Strengthening confidence in the destination
Even in the face of external media pressure, Cape Verde remains faithful to its commitment to quality and safety. The growth of the tourism sector in the country is the result of structured investments in infrastructure and human resources training, always integrating the components of sustainability and health safety.
The Executive emphasizes that the country remains open, safe, and ready to welcome visitors from all continents. To investors and international partners, the message is reiterated that Cape Verde offers a stable and predictable environment, where trust is built on facts, official data, and a deep respect for the life and health of all.
Context for the preparation of this article
It should be noted that, in recent weeks, some international newspapers have published articles reporting cases of gastrointestinal illness among tourists who visited the archipelago. This piece was written at a time when the Government of Cape Verde decided to provide institutional clarification to set the record straight, emphasizing that, to date, there is no scientific data to confirm the accusations reported by the foreign press.
Cape Verde 24.info
Primary source of information: Cape Verde Ministry of Tourism and Transportation.
