A Hull woman is fighting for her life in hospital 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 and her family are praying for her back home. Donna and husband Sidney were on an all-inclusive holiday to Crete with friends, Paula and Nicolas Mason, of Glasgow Street, Hull.
The first few days of the £1,500-per-couple holiday were enjoyable. But on June 5, Donna fell ill and had to rest. She suffered from a chest infection and became 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’ is most commonly contracted through inhaling water droplets from contaminated air conditioning systems.
Husband Sidney, a former police officer, is by her side. Claire, 42, flew out to Crete as soon as she heard how poorly Donna was. She returned to Hull in order to obtain documents to prove Donna has insurance cover.
(Image: Submitted)
She plans to fly out again as soon as she has the documents. “We are all devastated and beside ourselves,” said mum-of-six Claire.
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.”
The devoted niece said Donna, is “like a mother to us all.”
She remembered they often visited Crete when they were younger. “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.”
She said Donna has complex medical conditions, including epilepsy. Claire said Donna is being well cared for and staff brush her hair. “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, 52, told Hull Live how their respective husbands had booked the holiday to Crete as a surprise: “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.”
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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.
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.”
It is understood that the hotel is currently working with local health authorities on the island.