I still get stomach cramps seven months after my Cape Verde holiday

It was supposed to be the holiday of a lifetime for Jamie Steele and his partner, but instead it has left him with seven months of severe stomach problems.

The 26-year-old is one of more than 1,700 people who have now joined legal action against travel company Tui after becoming ill while on holiday in Cape Verde.

Jamie, from Dumbarton, said he was so ill on a trip to Sal in the archipelago off the west coast of Africa that he lost 12lbs (5kg) in a week, and still suffers from cramps.

Lawyers say that hundreds of Scots are among those taking the claim to court.

Speaking to BBC Scotland News, Jamie described how he arrived on a Friday night but by Sunday morning he had woken up, feeling his stomach churning.

"We thought it could be the heat or dehydration and I was determined not to let it ruin my holiday," he said.

"But by that evening, I was on the beach and became violently sick. I don't even remember getting back to the room. I became delirious."

He attended a clinic on the island which he said was full of tourists suffering from similar symptoms- but people living on the island or those on self-catering holidays seemed unaffected.

Seven months later, Jamie, who works as a fleet support officer in shipping, said he was still experiencing "severe stomach cramps" and has to avoid certain foods.

"In my head, I'm still trying to work out what I can and can't eat," he added, "I think this is something I'm going to be stuck with for the rest of my life."

Jamie said he was tested for dysentery but after numerous blood tests his doctor is still unable to find out what's wrong with him.

He said he paid around £1,600 for his week long trip to Hotel Riu Funana, but it was "completely ruined" after he was left "bed bound".

In February, UK health officials issued a warning to travellers about visiting the West African archipelago following reports of stomach bugs.

An investigation by the UK Health Security Agency found that since October 2025, there had been 112 reported cases of shigella and 43 of salmonella linked to travel to Cape Verde.

Shigella and salmonella are gastrointestinal infections which can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever.

Cape Verde, a former Portuguese colony, is a popular holiday destination due to its golden beaches and year-round warm weather.

Steven Stewart, from Glasgow, also became ill while visiting the island, with his wife Marie in 2024.

The 63-year-old told BBC Scotland News: "We arrived on a Friday evening, and had a bite in the restaurant, no one else was there.

"We then went to a party night that was on, and had cocktails that were pre-mixed, which I thought was a bit off.

"That night we had some food in an Italian restaurant on site. Within 24 hours I had stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhoea. I was very ill for three days.

"I eventually got to see the rep, who told me 'we're not at crisis point yet'."

Stewart paid £1,800 for a trip to the Riu Cabo Verde hotel in August 2024, as a last minute treat.

"We met other couples who also got ill, some had flown from Manchester, so it definitely wasn't something on the plane that had made people ill. They'd eaten in different restaurants in Cape Verde, so it's a common problem."

"I just want my money back, my holiday was ruined, my wife's holiday was ruined, that's why we're both part of the class action," he added.

Tui said in a statement that it could not comment on individual cases, but that "customer health and safety is always our highest priority".

"We have established procedures in place to support any customer who becomes unwell while on holiday, including access to appropriate medical care and assistance in resort."

Since 2022, Tui has taken more than one million holidaymakers to Cape Verde.

Jatinder Paul, from Irwin Mitchell solicitors, who are leading the legal action said: "In all my years of doing this work, I have not seen a case this large and unfortunately so many that have died as a result of the illnesses.

"We are pursuing all of our cases against Tui. They had a responsibility in taking our clients away on a package holiday which was not going to cause them any illness. Unfortunately it was the opposite of that."

The lawyer said hundreds more people had come forward since the BBC reported the news on Tuesday.