British woman who caught Legionnaires' in Crete wakes from coma

BBC News

2 days ago

A British woman who caught a serious lung disease while on holiday in Crete has woken from an induced coma and reached out to her husband, according to her family.Donna Jobling, 57, from Hull, was put into an induced coma after contracting Legionnaires' disease on the Greek island earlier this month.On Thursday, Ms Jobling remained "critical" in intensive care, with husband Sid, 69, at her hospital bedside, but her niece, Klaire Keita, said medics believed she was "heading in the right direction".Ms Keita, 42, said: "On Wednesday, Donna opened her eyes and tapped on Sid. He Facetimed me straightaway, he was over the moon. We all are."
It is not clear if the source of the disease has yet been identified, but easyJet Holidays has moved other customers out of the hotel they were staying in, as a precaution.Ms Jobling has been in an intensive care unit at Venizeleio Hospital in Heraklion since 11 June, Ms Keita said.On 5 June, she developed a chest infection, which triggered acute respiratory failure and pneumonia.Ms Keita, who described her aunt as "the best person you could ever hope to meet", said: "Donna came out of the coma on Monday. "She is still very poorly and we do not have a clue when she will be able to come home."
Ms Jobling and her husband were holidaying with another couple, Paula and Nicholas Mason, also from Hull.The Masons returned home on 12 June - the day both couples were meant to fly back together.Ms Mason previously said her friend looked "really healthy" in photographs taken at the start of the break, which was booked by the two husbands as a surprise for their wives.Ms Keita said she dashed to Crete to see her aunt when she was taken ill. She plans to return once Ms Jobling's European Health Insurance Card, ordered prior to the holiday, arrives."The doctors say they need it," she said. "Fortunately, Donna also took out holiday insurance."
In Crete, locals have been "absolutely brilliant", according to Ms Keita."A restaurant, in particular, has been so kind to Sid," she said, adding the couple's local pub in Hull, The Dairycoates Inn, had organised a collection to help the family meet extra costs. "We're so grateful for everyone's support," said Ms Keita.Following Ms Jobling's 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 BBC has asked easyjet Holidays if the source of the disease had now been identified, but it would not deviate from a statement issued last week, which said it was "continuing to support her and her family in every way we can".It had also contacted customers who were due to travel in the next four weeks to provide alternative options and had also contacted those who had recently stayed at the hotel "to inform them of necessary guidance".
Legionnaires' disease
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. The disease can induce pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, which can be life-threatening.