A risk assessment by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has identified 258 cases of shigellosis, a form of dysentery, among travelers from 12 countries who have visited Sala, Cape Verde since November 2021.
According to the February report consulted by Lusa this Thursday, the ECDC has confirmed 221 cases of this infection since November 1, 2021, and has registered 37 suspected cases since September 1, 2022, associated with the island of Sal, between 11 European countries and the United States of America.
Shigellosis, also known as bacillary dysentery, is a form of food poisoning with bloody diarrhea caused by Shigella bacteria.
In the document, the EDCD “calls” on European health authorities to “raise” the awareness of healthcare professionals about the “possibility of rising shigella infections in people with recent travel to Cape Verde.”
“Furthermore, it is recommended to interview these cases in order to limit high-risk areas/places in Cape Verde,” the report also says, in which ECDC cites regular contact with Cape Verdean authorities “to strengthen investigations into possible sources.” “, while “key to flash control”.
According to the same ECDC report, the UK tops the list of suspected and confirmed cases (95), followed by the Netherlands (47), Sweden (42), France (31) and Belgium (14). Among other countries, Portugal has had two confirmed cases of shigellosis since 2021, while the United States has four.
The report states that the possible forms of transmission in this case have not yet been confirmed and that “multiple forms” are possible, with “food transmission being the most likely”, including through contact with contaminated food”, although “human-to-human transmission” is also possible.
“Based on available information, it is reported that many of the sick people have stayed in the Santa Maria area on Sal Island, including in all-inclusive hotels. The most recent cases were reported in Sweden on January 19, 2023, indicating a persistent moderate risk of new infections among travelers to Cape Verde, especially those in the Santa Maria area,” the report said.
The British government this Thursday warned British citizens of an “increase” in recent months in cases of shigellosis among tourists returning from Sal Island, the most touristic in the archipelago.
An alert issued by the Foreigners and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to British travelers mentions that “since August 2022 there has been an increase in cases” of shigellosis “among citizens returning from Cape Verde”.
He adds that other reports from February this year “suggest that the majority of reported cases occurred in the Santa Maria area on Sal Island” so British citizens are advised to follow the health authorities’ advice.
In this notice to UK travelers updating information on the health situation in Cape Verde, the FCO also asks them to “ensure” they are following “food, water and personal hygiene precautions” such as washing hands and using only bottled water for drinking or brushing your teeth.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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