Brit critically ill in Greek hospital after falling sick 2 days into all-inclusive holiday | World | News
A British holidaymaker is fighting for her life in a Greek hospital after falling critically ill on an all-inclusive getaway.
Donna Jobling, 57, from west Hull, was rushed into intensive care at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion, Crete. She took a turn for the worse during a sunny retreat with her husband Sidney and friends Paula and Nicolas Mason, starting to feel unwell on June 5.
She initially suffered a chest infection but by June 7, Donna’s condition deteriorated sharply, necessitating an emergency induction into a coma.
Her niece, Claire, confirmed to Hull Live that tests identified Legionnaires’ disease as the cause of her illness, brought on by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila.
Legionnaires’ disease, a severe lung infection according to the NHS, can be contracted through inhalation of water droplets containing the bacteria, such as those from air conditioning or hot tubs. The disease manifested in Donna with acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia, her family divulged, sharing their hopes for her recovery.
In an emotional statement, Claire, aged 42, expressed the family’s shock: “We are all devastated and beside ourselves.”
She continued to reveal the precariousness of Donna’s situation: “We were told it was touch and go whether she would survive. We are all praying for her. She is stable but under constant watch. We flew out there but had to come back because of work and family commitments. I’m still waiting for documents but will go back with them as soon as I have them.”
Husband Sidney, a former police officer, remains steadfast by Donna’s side, with niece Claire describing her as “like a mother to us all”. “It is quite strict in the intensive care unit,” Claire conceded.
“You only get 30 minutes to visit. But she is well looked after.”
Paula and Nicholas, who also splashed out on the £1,500-per-couple getaway, returned to Hull on June 12 and were shocked when illness struck unexpectedly. “It was lovely at the start of the holiday. We all walked everywhere,” recounted Paula, aged 52.
“Then it came out from nowhere. She has a lot of health problems anyway. But she became seriously ill and the doctor said she had to be taken to hospital and they have put her in an induced coma in the intensive care unit.”
The source of the Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak remains a mystery. Easyjet Holidays, the travel company used by the affected couples, is fully apprised of the situation and has offered alternative accommodations to current and future guests.
A spokesperson commented: “We’re so sorry to hear that Ms Jobling is unwell, and we’re continuing to support her and her family in every way we can. As soon as we were made aware of reports of illness, we immediately took action and contacted customers who were already staying in the hotel, or due to travel in the next four weeks, to provide alternative hotel options.
“We’ve also been in touch with customers who recently returned home from this hotel, to inform them of necessary guidance. Our customers’ safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we’ll continue to do all we can to support them.”
