British tourist fighting for life after catching deadly disease at all-inclusive

A Hull woman is fighting for her life after contracting Legionnaires' disease while on holiday on the Mediterranean island of Crete.
The niece of Donna Jobling, 57, of West Hull, said her aunt is in intensive care at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion after becoming ill on an all-inclusive holiday with husband Sidney and friends Paula and Nicolas Mason.
The first few days of the £1,500-per-couple holiday were enjoyable, but on June 5, Donna fell ill before suffering from a chest infection and becoming seriously ill two days later.
On June 11, doctors at the hospital put Donna into an induced coma. Tests confirmed she had Legionnaires' disease brought on by Legionella pneumophila, her niece, Claire, told Hull Live.
The infection triggered acute respiratory failure and pneumonia, her family said.
Legionnaires' disease is most commonly contracted through inhaling water droplets from contaminated air conditioning systems.
Claire, 42, flew out to Crete as soon as she heard how poorly Donna was, but later returned to Hull to obtain documents to prove Donna has insurance.
Claire, a mum of six, said: 'We are all devastated and beside ourselves. 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.'
The devoted niece said her aunt is like a mother to everyone, and the family had visited Crete often when they were younger.
'It used to be our go-to holiday destination, and we went as a whole family. It is beautiful, the weather is great, and the food is fantastic,' Claire remembered.
She said Donna has complex medical conditions, including epilepsy. Claire said Donna is being well cared for and the staff brush her hair.
Rules in the intensive care unit mean family gets only 30 minutes to visit daily, but Claire said her aunt is being well looked after.
Legionnaires' disease is a potentially very serious lung infection which people can catch if they breathe in tiny droplets of water which contain bacteria that causes the illness.
People aged over 50, smokers and those with chronic lung conditions or who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of developing the disease.
It is usually caught from things such as air conditioning systems, hot tubs and humidifiers, in places like offices, hotels or hospitals where the bacteria have got into the water supply.
Early signs of the rare Legionnaires' disease include 'flu-like' symptoms, such as a dry cough and fever, which can develop into pneumonia.
Around 90% of people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not experience symptoms.
But up to 15% of those who do become ill can suffer from severe disease.
Friend Paula, 52, told Hull Live how she and Donna's husbands booked the holiday to Crete as a surprise, and the illness came out of 'nowhere'.
'She has a lot of health problems anyway. But she became seriously ill and the doctor said she had to be taken to the hospital, where they put her in an induced coma in the intensive care unit.'
The source of the Legionnaires' Disease has not yet been identified, but as a precaution, Easyjet Holidays, with whom the couples travelled, have moved other customers out of the hotel they were staying in. More Trending
A spokesperson for the company said: '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 well-being is our top priority, and we'll continue to do all we can to support them.'
It is understood that the hotel is currently working with local health authorities on the island.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: 'Just gorgeous': Your favourite European islands that aren't in Greece
MORE: Ryanair plane damaged after wing hit a fence during landing
MORE: Lollipop man told to stop high-fiving kids because it delayed cars by 10 seconds

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

North Wales Live

3 hours ago

• North Wales Live

Brit fighting for life in Crete after contracting Legionnaires' disease on holiday

A British woman is critically ill in a Greek hospital after becoming serioulsy ill during an all-inclusive holiday to Crete. Donna Jobling, 57, from west Hull, was rushed to intensive care at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion with her life hanging in the balance; her family were told it was "touch and go whether she would survive". The Hull mum had been soaking up the sun with husband Sidney and their friends Paula and Nicolas Mason when she started feeling poorly on June 5. What started as a chest infection quickly escalated into a severe illness, and within two days Donna was admitted to hospital and placed into an induced coma. Her niece Claire told Hull Live that tests confirmed Donna contracted Legionnaires' disease caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila, According to the NHS, Legionnaires' disease is a lung infection you can get from inhaling droplets of water from things like contaminated air conditioning systems or hot tubs. Donna's infection triggered acute respiratory failure and pneumonia, her family said, and they are now praying for her recovery. Claire, 42, said: "We are all devastated and beside ourselves." She added: "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 by Donna's bedside with Claire describing her auntie as "like a mother to us all". "It is quite strict in the intensive care unit," Claire admitted. "You only get 30 minutes to visit. But she is well looked after." Paula and Nicholas, who also went on the £1,500-per-couple holiday, returned to Hull on June 12 and said the illness came out of nowhere. "It was lovely at the start of the holiday. We all walked everywhere," Paula, 52, said. "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 has not yet been identified. Easyjet Holidays, with whom the couples travelled, are aware of the issue and have provided alternative hotel options to current and future guests. A spokesperson said: "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."

Metro

6 hours ago

• Metro

British tourist fighting for life after catching deadly disease at all-inclusive

A Hull woman is fighting for her life after contracting Legionnaires' disease while on holiday on the Mediterranean island of Crete. The niece of Donna Jobling, 57, of West Hull, said her aunt is in intensive care at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion after becoming ill on an all-inclusive holiday with husband Sidney and friends Paula and Nicolas Mason. The first few days of the £1,500-per-couple holiday were enjoyable, but on June 5, Donna fell ill before suffering from a chest infection and becoming seriously ill two days later. On June 11, doctors at the hospital put Donna into an induced coma. Tests confirmed she had Legionnaires' disease brought on by Legionella pneumophila, her niece, Claire, told Hull Live. The infection triggered acute respiratory failure and pneumonia, her family said. Legionnaires' disease is most commonly contracted through inhaling water droplets from contaminated air conditioning systems. Claire, 42, flew out to Crete as soon as she heard how poorly Donna was, but later returned to Hull to obtain documents to prove Donna has insurance. Claire, a mum of six, said: 'We are all devastated and beside ourselves. 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.' The devoted niece said her aunt is like a mother to everyone, and the family had visited Crete often when they were younger. 'It used to be our go-to holiday destination, and we went as a whole family. It is beautiful, the weather is great, and the food is fantastic,' Claire remembered. She said Donna has complex medical conditions, including epilepsy. Claire said Donna is being well cared for and the staff brush her hair. Rules in the intensive care unit mean family gets only 30 minutes to visit daily, but Claire said her aunt is being well looked after. Legionnaires' disease is a potentially very serious lung infection which people can catch if they breathe in tiny droplets of water which contain bacteria that causes the illness. People aged over 50, smokers and those with chronic lung conditions or who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of developing the disease. It is usually caught from things such as air conditioning systems, hot tubs and humidifiers, in places like offices, hotels or hospitals where the bacteria have got into the water supply. Early signs of the rare Legionnaires' disease include 'flu-like' symptoms, such as a dry cough and fever, which can develop into pneumonia. Around 90% of people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not experience symptoms. But up to 15% of those who do become ill can suffer from severe disease. Friend Paula, 52, told Hull Live how she and Donna's husbands booked the holiday to Crete as a surprise, and the illness came out of 'nowhere'. 'She has a lot of health problems anyway. But she became seriously ill and the doctor said she had to be taken to the hospital, where they put her in an induced coma in the intensive care unit.' The source of the Legionnaires' Disease has not yet been identified, but as a precaution, Easyjet Holidays, with whom the couples travelled, have moved other customers out of the hotel they were staying in. More Trending A spokesperson for the company said: '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 well-being is our top priority, and we'll continue to do all we can to support them.' It is understood that the hotel is currently working with local health authorities on the island. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'Just gorgeous': Your favourite European islands that aren't in Greece MORE: Ryanair plane damaged after wing hit a fence during landing MORE: Lollipop man told to stop high-fiving kids because it delayed cars by 10 seconds

Wales Online

7 hours ago

• Wales Online

Brit mum battles for her life after Greece holiday goes badly wrong

Brit mum battles for her life after Greece holiday goes badly wrong Donna Jobling is in intensive care at a hospital in Crete after a dream Easyjet Holidays break with husband Sidney went badly wrong Donna Jobling (Image: Submitted ) A Brit woman is battling for her life in hospital after contracting Legionnaires' disease during a dream holiday in Greece. Donna Jobling, 57, from west Hull, had gone to the island on a £1,500-per-couple holiday with husband Sidney. But their idyllic break in Crete went badly wrong after she fell ill. And she is currently in intensive care at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion, Hull Live reports. ‌ Donna and her husband were enjoying an all-inclusive holiday with friends, Paula and Nicolas Mason. The initial days were enjoyable until June 5, when Donna felt unwell and had to rest. ‌ She developed a chest infection and became seriously ill two days later. By June 11, doctors at the hospital had put Donna into an induced coma after tests confirmed she had contracted Legionnaires' disease. It had been caused by Legionella pneumophila, her niece, Claire, told Hull Live. The infection led to acute respiratory failure and pneumonia, according to her family. Legionnaires' disease is most commonly contracted through inhaling water droplets from contaminated air conditioning systems. The source of Legionnaires' Disease remains unknown, but as a safety measure, easyJet Holidays, which organised the couples' trip, has relocated other guests from the affected hotel. Article continues below Sidney, a former police officer, remains by her side. After hearing about Donna's condition, Claire, 42, flew out to Crete. Yet she has since returned to Hull to obtain documents proving Donna's insurance cover. Claire plans to fly back to Crete as soon as she secures the necessary documents. "We are all devastated and beside ourselves," said Claire, a mum-of-six. She said: "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." She said Donna is "like a mother to us all." Recalling past trips, she said: "We have happy memories of the island. ‌ "It used to be our go-to holiday destination and we went as a whole family. It is beautiful. The weather is great and the food is fantastic." Speaking about Donna's care, Claire said that despite complex medical conditions including epilepsy, Donna is being well looked after. She said: "It is quite strict in the intensive care unit. You only get 30 minutes to visit. But she is well looked after." Paula and Nicholas Mason returned to Hull on June 12. Paula, aged 52, told Hull Live: "It was lovely at the start of the holiday. We all walked everywhere. ‌ "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." An easyJet representative said: "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. Article continues below "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." It is understood that the hotel is collaborating with local health officials on the island.