A woman on her honeymoon in Cape Verde experienced a nightmare vacation when she fell ill with a severe stomach infection, leading to frequent trips to the toilet. Jess Phillips, 31, and her husband Conor, 30, traveled to Cape Verde after their wedding but instead of enjoying their trip, she suffered from uncontrollable diarrhea and vomiting, eventually requiring hospitalization.
Jess described her symptoms as extreme chills, continuous diarrhea, and vomiting that led to passing blood. Doctors diagnosed her with gastroenteritis initially, but later identified the cause as shigella, a dangerous bacterial infection associated with contaminated food and poor hygiene. She struggled to eat and had to resort to snacking on Pringles to replenish her salt levels.
Despite being hospitalized and placed on a drip for three days, Jess was discharged and faced additional challenges when hotel staff demanded over £100 for a late check-out. She expressed frustration at the hotel’s lack of concern for her condition and the potential spread of the infection.
Upon returning home, Jess highlighted the impact the illness had on her honeymoon, demanding a refund from TUI for the ruined trip that cost over £3,000. She emphasized her cautious approach to hygiene during the vacation and expressed confusion over how she contracted the infection.
The law firm Irwin Mitchell revealed that they are representing numerous British tourists who have fallen ill at Cape Verde resorts due to gastric illnesses in recent years. Both the hotel and TUI expressed regret over Jess’s ordeal, emphasizing their commitment to guest safety and hygiene protocols.
Jess expressed her desire for justice and described her honeymoon as “completely ruined,” emphasizing the potential severity of the situation if the illness had affected a more vulnerable individual. She lamented the contrast between her expectations for a joyous honeymoon and the reality of a distressing experience.
