British holidaymaker in critical condition after catching Legionnaires' disease in Crete
A British tourist is in intensive care after catching a serious lung disease while on holiday in Greece.
Donna Jobling from Hull was on an all-inclusive holiday on the Greek island of Crete when she fell ill on 6 June.
Her condition continued to worsen over the next two days and she was admitted to hospital in Heraklion.
The 57-year-old had caught Legionnaires ' disease, a lung infection you can get after inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs.
A doctor told Ms Jobling's husband, Sid, that her lungs were quickly shutting down, then she was put into an induced coma.
She and her husband had been travelling with easyJet holidays. "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," a spokesperson for the holiday provider said.
While it is not confirmed that the hotel is the source of the infection, as a precaution customers were moved out and have been provided alternative hotel accommodation. Those planning to stay in the hotel over the next four weeks have also been given alternative options.
As well as moving other customers out of the hotel, easyJet Holidays said it has been in touch with customers who have recently returned home from the hotel.
"Our customers' safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we'll continue to do all we can to support them,' the spokesperson said.
The hotel where Ms Jobling fell ill is currently working with local health authorities on the island.
'Donna has an abundance of loving family and friends who just want to get the chance to go over there to support her and Sid, who is currently there alone and has been for two weeks,' a GoFundMe fundraising page for Ms Jobling says.
The fundraiser, organised by Ms Jobling's niece, has raised £510 out of an £1,200 target as of Monday morning.
It added: 'We really don't know what the outcomes can be at this point, with very little good news from doctors. Anything will help at this hard time; we just need people there to support them.'
Ms Jobling has been in the intensive care unit in critical condition since 11 June.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it is supporting the family and is in contact with the local authorities.
After Ms Jobling was hospitalised, the Greek health ministry issued a statement to hoteliers in Crete to "raise awareness among all those involved in monitoring the quality of water for human consumption especially with regard to Legionella".
The disease is uncommon, but it can be very serious. It is unclear what caused the infection, but you can usually contract the illness by inhaling tiny droplets of water containing bacteria.
The disease tends to be caught in places like hotels, as well as hospitals and offices, where bacteria have got into the water supply.
Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, a high temperature and flu-like symptoms.
An emergency alert has also been issued on the island by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control following the diagnosis.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
29 minutes ago
- The Independent
BBC newsreader Martine Croxall changes ‘pregnant people' to ‘women' during live broadcast
A BBC News presenter has gone viral after replacing the term 'pregnant people' to 'women' while reading the autocue during a live broadcast. Martine Croxall was reporting on research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine that warned of nearly 600 expected heat-related deaths on Saturday (21 June). Reading from the autocue, the presenter said: 'Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people - women - and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions." Ms Croxall address the broadcast on X on Sunday and said: "A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to follow me today for whatever reason. It's been quite a ride.'
BBC News
40 minutes ago
- BBC News
Pensioner's death might have been prevented, says Suffolk coroner
The death of a vulnerable pensioner who suffered a fatal bleed on the brain after falling at home might have been prevented, a coroner Thomas Bendell died on 13 July 2024 at the age of 79, five days after being discharged from The West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, Bendell, who had blood cancer and was not able to walk well following a stroke, had been deemed well enough to go coroner Nigel Parsley has now filed a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, suggesting the pensioner was "placed at risk" by being sent home when it was "not safe to do so". During an inquest, Mr Parsley concluded Mr Bendell's death was an accident contributed to by his underlying ill health, but he voiced concerns about how he was treated in the lead up to court heard how Mr Bendell had been allowed home after his stroke because he had been deemed capable of moving from his bed to a commode and back again unassisted. And because he was not considered a candidate for hospital-based rehabilitation on a specialist stroke rehabilitation ward, he could only receive further treatment at family described how the ambulance team that took him home considered taking him straight back to the hospital, as they did not think he would be able to manage. One of the first physiotherapists to see Mr Bendell following his return reportedly said "this is not going to work" to family members upon seeing him in his days later, on 12 July, he was found "injured and slumped" on his sofa by his carers, having fallen over, before becoming unresponsive and suffering hospital, a CT scan identified that he had a large bleed to his brain, which proved fatal due to the fact his blood was less able to clot because of his cancer. 'Future deaths could occur' Mr Parsley is now calling for change after the court heard there were no "step-down community rehabilitation" facilities for patients like Mr Bendell, who, while not eligible for inpatient rehabilitation, were not capable of keeping themselves safe when at home."In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken," he said in his Prevention of Future Deaths Report."I am concerned that with the current rehabilitation options available being either in a specialist hospital ward or at home, other individuals in David's situation who are not deemed suitable for in-patient hospital, will also be placed at risk by being sent home when it is not safe to do so." 'Deepest sympathies' The NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board extended its "condolences to the family of Mr Bendall"."We will work with our partners to examine the findings of this report and assess the service provision," a spokesperson added.A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson also sent its "deepest sympathies" to Mr Bendell's friends and family. "It is important we learn lessons from every prevention of future deaths report. We will consider the report carefully before responding formally," a spokesperson said. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Dermot Murnaghan, 67, reveals devastating prostate cancer diagnosis as former Sky News presenter thanks family for 'monumental love and support'
Newsreader Dermot Murnaghan today revealed he has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The broadcaster has said he is 'feeling well' despite the devastating diagnosis. Stage 4 is the most advanced stage cancer, meaning cancerous cells have spread beyond the prostate and into other areas of the body.
