A honeymooning couple has told how their “dream break” became a “nightmare” after they experienced horrific food poisoning at an all-inclusive resort.
Liam Williams and Jade Churchill, both 27, were staying at the TUI Blue Cabo Verde, Cape Verde, when they went down with diarrhea, fever and fatigue in October.
They said their hotel appeared to be ‘running low’ on supplies during the height of their illness – and they even needed to wait an hour for toilet rolls.
And Liam was later forced to seek medical treatment in the UK when they finally made it back from their harrowing trip, which set them back $3,200.
The couple, from Taunton, Somerset, are now among over 1,400 claimants who have begun legal action after their disastrous holidays on the Sunkissed African isle.
Others include an engineer who was hospitalized with shigella and a single who was severely unwell for three weeks while vacationing with her twin daughters.
Liam, an assistant management accountant, said: “We both wanted to go to Cape Verde for our honeymoon and couldn’t wait to get away as we’ve had a busy few months.
“But what was meant to be a dream break turned into a nightmare.
“We thought we wouldn’t have anything to worry about with a five-star hotel, but the eating area was a red flag with food visibly being reheated and served more than once.
“Much of the food was uncovered and left out for long periods of time.
“The hotel appeared to be running low on food and drink at times, and we had to wait an hour for toilet roll when we were unwell.
“We wish we had booked somewhere else to honeymoon as it really didn’t get us off to a good start at married life.”
Jatinder Paul, from legal firm Irwin Mitchell, said the huge quantity of tourists being struck down by sickness on Cape Verde was “staggering”.
He said: “The number of people who have instructed us after falling ill at Cape Verde has reached more than 1,400, which is a staggering figure.
“It’s also deeply worrying, and quite frankly unacceptable, that holidaymakers are continuing to be struck down with gastric illness at resorts that are classed as four or five-star.
“Such symptoms can be extremely serious and lead to long-term health problems and complications, particularly in those diagnosed with infections such as E.coli.
“We’re determined to get our clients the answers they deserve and it’s vital that more is done to prevent others from suffering.”
Robert Conners, 37, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, has also begun legal action after he holidayed at the five-star Riu Funana resort between June 22 and 29 this year.
He travelled with his wife, Katie, 36, and daughter Emilia, six.
But three days into the trip, which cost more than $2,500, he began suffering from severe diarrhea, stomach cramps and bloating.
He also developed a burning and itchy rash all over his body.
On July 9, Robert was admitted to a hospital for two days due to an exacerbation in symptoms, including passing blood.
He was put on a drip for dehydration and diagnosed with shigella and E.coli, for which he was administered strong antibiotics.
Robert had to take three weeks off work and continues to be fearful of what he eats.
He said about his experience: “We’d saved for a long time to go to Cape Verde and we were so excited. But just a few days in, I was the most unwell I’ve ever been.
“At the start of my illness, I was having diarrhea up to 30 times a day and I really didn’t know what was wrong with me.
“Most of the holiday was ruined, and I starved myself before the flight home so I wasn’t spending all my time in the toilet on the plane.
“Once I was back home, it just got worse and I ended up in hospital.
“To be told I had E.Coli and shigella was a huge shock but it explained why I had been feeling so awful.
“When I think back, I can recall the food was left uncovered at the buffet, and the meat and burgers always appeared undercooked.
“The cleanliness of the hotel rooms also left a lot to be desired, and the toilets around the hotel were always full.
“I know I can’t change what happened but I’ve been struggling physically and emotionally, as well as financially due to not being able to work.
“I deserve some answers at the very least.”
Gina Booth, 49, a housewife from Huddersfield, West Yorks, travelled to the five-star Melia Dunas resort with her twin 16-year-old daughters, Shaela and Mischa Gentles.
The family’s exciting holiday, costing almost $6,300, took place between August 28 and September 4 this year.
But on the second day, Shaela and Mischa began vomiting and complaining of diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
The following day, Gina developed a fever and flu-like symptoms as well as bloody diarrhea, nausea and headaches.
All three saw a doctor at the resort, and Gina was given antibiotics, with their symptoms continuing well into September.
Gina said: “My girls and I were so unwell very early into the holiday and we thought it was maybe one of those 24-hour sickness bugs. But it lasted for almost three weeks.
“The only thing that I believe could be to blame is the resort. The food was undercooked and served uncovered, with fresh food added to existing food.
“The cutlery and crockery was dirty, and there were often cats, flies and birds around the buffet area.
“It’s not something you expect from a five-star hotel and I feel we need to know how it happened.”
Karen Boatman, 61, a chemist counter assistant from Tadley, Hants, spent time at the TUI Blue Cabo Verde with her husband Ashley, 55, from June 24 to July 8 this year.
But on 26 June, she began suffering from diarrhoea, abdominal pains, vomiting and fever. She was also dehydrated and lethargic and was experiencing hallucinations.
Karen ended up in a hospital abroad where she was placed on intravenous (IV) fluids and given antibiotics.
She was transferred to another infirmary for three days, where she was monitored for suspected acute kidney failure.
She was then advised to go to hospital on her return to the UK as there weren’t facilities to treat her in Cape Verde, which she did.
At that time, she was also signed off work for 25 days, and she continues to struggle with ongoing symptoms.
Karen, whose holiday cost around $5,100, said: “There was nothing five-star about this resort.
“Our room wasn’t clean on arrival, the air conditioning didn’t work properly, and the pool facilities were nowhere near to standard.
“Ashley even had to complain to reception as it seemed the cleaners were using the same wipes and water between rooms without disinfectant.
“Five months on, I’m still not well and I’m incredibly tired all the time.
“I know there’s nothing that I can do to change what happened now, but I feel I – and all the others that were ill – need to know more will be done to stop others falling sick in the future.”
Following the spate of illnesses, specialists at Irwin Mitchell have published a list of ‘top tips’ to keep holidaymakers safe abroad if they fall sick. These are:
• Research the medical care available in the area before you go and make sure you have travel insurance in place which includes medical cover for the duration of your trip
• Use bottled water wherever possible, such as for drinking and brushing your teeth. With any salads and raw foods, check how they’ve been washed
• At a buffet, check whether the cutlery and crockery is clean
• Ask about allergy advice if no labels are present
• If you fall ill, it’s important to report this to your holiday representative or hotel staff as soon as possible
• Get a copy of any medical report if you seek help abroad
Travel agents TUI and hotels the Riu Funana Resort and Meliá Dunas Beach Resort & Spa have been contacted for comment.
