Legionnaires’ disease explained as tourist falls ill on Greek all-inclusive trip

Donna Jobling has hit the headlines after contracting Legionnaires' disease during an all-inclusive holiday in Crete. According to the Independent, she has been in critical condition in the intensive care unit since June 11.

Legionnaires' disease is a rare but potentially deadly lung infection if not treated promptly. It's transmitted by inhaling water droplets containing Legionella bacteria, according to the NHS.

Sources of this can include air conditioning units, hot tubs, humidifiers, showers and taps. The bacteria must be inhaled to cause an infection; typically, you won't fall ill from activities such as drinking water or swimming in lakes contaminated with the bacteria.

Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include:

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort, especially when breathing or coughing
• A high temperature
• Flu-like symptoms

These initial symptoms usually manifest between two and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. However, some other symptoms of the disease necessitate immediate medical intervention.

The NHS advises individuals to dial 111 or arrange an urgent GP appointment if they experience any of the following:

• A cough lasting three weeks or longer
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain that comes and goes, or occurs when breathing or coughing
• Feeling short of breath

When you talk to a healthcare professional, inform them about any places you've visited in the past 10 days that could have exposed you to Legionnaires' disease, such as hotels, spas or hospitals.

People over the age of 50, smokers or those with compromised immune systems may be at an increased risk of contracting the disease.

If you're diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, hospitalisation may be necessary where doctors administer antibiotics intravenously, provide oxygen masks, tubes or even machines to assist your breathing.

The condition can prove fatal if not treated promptly, as it can lead to complications like pneumonia and respiratory failure. In 2023, there were 604 reported cases of Legionnaires' disease and 19 deaths in England and Wales.

212 of these cases were associated with travel abroad. Donna, currently in Crete, is in an induced coma according to a GoFundMe page set up by her niece, Claire.

Donna's husband Sid remains by her side in Greece, while Claire and the rest of the family are seeking financial assistance to cover the costs of additional family members travelling to support the couple during this difficult period.

According to the BBC, the source of the disease has not yet been identified. However, easyJet Holidays, the company through which the couple booked their holiday, has relocated customers from the hotel as a precautionary measure.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has also issued an emergency alert for the island following the diagnosis.