A British tourist is in hospital after catching a serious lung disease while on an all-inclusive holiday in Greece.
Donna Jobling, from west Hull, contracted Legionnaires’ disease on the island of Crete, and is in intensive care.
The 57-year-old was travelling with easyJet Holidays, which says it has moved other customers out of the hotel where she was staying.
“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 said.
Ms Jobling has been in an intensive care unit at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion since 11 June, her niece Klaire Keita told Hull Live.
On 5 June she developed a chest infection which triggered acute respiratory failure and pneumonia, her niece added.
“We were told it was touch and go whether she would survive,” she said, adding Ms Jobling is “stable but under constant watch”.
Following her diagnosis, 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 source of the disease has not yet been identified but easyJet Holidays has moved other customers out of the hotel they were staying in, as a precaution.
“We’ve also been in touch with customers who recently returned home from this hotel, to inform them of necessary guidance,” a spokesperson said.
“Our customers’ safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we’ll continue to do all we can to support them.”
It is understood the hotel affected is currently working with local health authorities on the island.
An emergency alert has been issued on the island by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control following the diagnosis.
Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection most commonly contracted through the inhalation of water droplets containing Legionella bacteria.
It is usually caught in places such as hotels, hospitals and office buildings from contaminated air conditioning systems, but can also be contracted from spa pools and hot tubs.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, a high temperature and chest pain or discomfort, particularly when breathing or coughing. The disease can induce pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, which can be life-threatening.
Smokers, people over the age of 50 and those who are immunocompromised or have chronic lung conditions are at higher risk of developing the disease.
