We have been instructed by holidaymakers who became unwell whilst staying at the all inclusive RIU Touareg Hotel in Boa Vista, Cape Verde.
Our expert holiday illness team understand that guests at the package holiday hotel, promoted by First Choice as ‘Premier ‘property with a five star official rating, have been struck down with diarrhoea and vomiting. There are reports of guests being diagnosed with salmonella upon their return home.
Guidance from Public Health England states that:
‘Salmonella causes food poisoning. Foods such as eggs, chicken, pork and dairy produce can carry salmonellas. Fruit and vegetables can also become contaminated if they have been in contact with livestock, manure or untreated water. People preparing food should make sure that they wash their hands and clean kitchen equipment thoroughly to prevent the spread of salmonellas from meat to other foods in the kitchen. People can also become infected from contact with individuals with diarrhoea or from unwell animals.
Symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever usually develop between 12 and 72 hours after becoming infected. Illness usually lasts from 4 to 7 days. People with severe or prolonged symptoms should consult a doctor.’
Disgruntled holidaymakers have taken to TripAdvisor to voice their complaints about the illness at the resort. One British holidaymaker stated:
‘Then in the second week I got food poisoning which kept me in bed for two days so I would never advise anyone to come to this hotel never a 5 star, more like 3 star and I have stayed in a lot better 3 stars than this.’
Another guest who stayed at the hotel in October 2017 commented:
‘I previously did a review saying my partner was very sick while away, but the day we left I started feeling bad, I was sick on the plane then had awful diarrhoea for a week which needed anti biotics to get rid of! I had to cancel my flight to France when we got home as I just couldn’t fly or leave my house, even Imodium wasn’t working! They knew all about this bug before we went but tui didn’t tell us, we was told the morning of the rep meeting though when we seen the amount of people waiting to speak to the reps! They just told everyone to join the queue at the doctors office! The hotel have admitted knowing about it, but still we wasn’t given the choice to move. I’m literally disgusted with tui and the hotel for not putting its duty of care to the customers first and telling us in advance. Zero care and zero help since I’ve gotten back! Flies where everywhere in the hotel and all over the food and you couldn’t get near the doctors in that heat to get help. Awful place!’
If you have suffered from salmonella or any other gastric illness, in the last three years, due to poor food safety and hygiene standards whilst on a package holiday, then you may be able to pursue a claim against your tour operator. The Package Travel Regulations 1992 enable British holidaymakers to bring claims in this country for the failings at their package holiday hotel.
If you became ill whilst staying at the RUI Touareg Hotel, contact one of the holiday illness experts at JPS Walker. You may be able to make a claim for compensation on a no win no fee basis. For further information contact our expert team on 0161 713 5575 or email info@jpswalker.co.uk
