A British tourist is fighting for her life after catching Legionnaires’ disease while on a dream holiday to Crete.
Donna Jobling, 57, from west Hull, is currently in intensive care at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion after falling ill just days into the trip.
She had jetted out on the £1,500 all-inclusive holiday with her husband Sidney and their friends, Paula and Nicolas Mason, of Glasgow Street, Hull, but reported feeling unwell after contracting a chest infection on June 5.
Mrs Jobling, who suffers from ‘complex’ medical conditions including epilepsy, quickly became seriously ill and was taken to hospital on June 11 where doctors have put her in an induced coma.
Tests confirmed she had contracted Legionnaires’ disease brought on by Legionella pneumophila, which triggered acute respiratory failure and pneumonia.
Mrs Jobling’s ‘devastated’ family, who have since jetted out to see her on the Greek island, describe her as being like ‘a mother to us all’.
Her niece Claire, 42, has been back-and-forth between Crete and Hull and is currently in East Yorkshire to obtain Mrs Jobling’s insurance documents before flying back out.
‘We are all devastated and beside ourselves,’ the mother-of-six said.
Donna Jobling (above) is currently in intensive care after catching Legionnaires’ disease while on a dream holiday to Crete
Mrs Jobling became seriously ill and was taken to hospital on June 11 where doctors have put her in an induced coma
She is being treated at the Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion (above)
‘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 42-year-old says Crete has long been a family favourite holiday destination, and one they all have ‘happy memories’ of.
Upon visiting the the Mediterranean island now, Claire can only see her auntie for 30 minutes in the ‘strict’ intensive care unit but says the staff are caring for her well.
Mrs Mason has also returned home with her husband after their close friend was admitted to hospital.
The 52-year-old said the holiday has been booked as a surprise by both her husband and Mr Jobling and that the start of the holiday had been ‘lovely’.
‘Then it came out from nowhere,’ she said.
Mrs Jobling’s niece Claire says Crete has long been a family favourite holiday destination, and one they all have ‘happy memories’ of (Stock Image)
Legionnaires’ is most commonly contracted through inhaling water droplets from contaminated air conditioning systems.
And while the source of the disease has not yet been identified in this case, 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.
