A former elementary school teacher shared her harrowing experience of falling seriously ill after contracting an illness while on a £2,000 vacation to Gran Canaria.
Juliet Leith, hailing from Maidstone, found herself in a critical condition, spending nearly two weeks in an intensive care unit, battling flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and difficulty breathing while staying at a four-star TUI hotel. She was swiftly transferred to a local hospital from her accommodation on the Spanish island when she developed severe pneumonia.
After being placed in an induced coma for four days, Juliet’s daughters rushed to her side upon learning of the dire situation. Tests revealed that she had been infected with a rare and potentially grave disease during her stay at the TUI BLUE Suite Princess in Playa Taurito.
Joining her sister, Maureen, at the resort on September 18, 2025, Juliet’s health deteriorated rapidly, leading to her hospitalization just four days later, where she tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease, as explained by NHS England, is a lung infection that can be contracted by inhaling water droplets from sources like air conditioning systems, hot tubs, or infrequently used baths and showers. Although uncommon, the disease can pose serious health risks.
Despite initial treatments, Juliet’s condition worsened, prompting doctors to induce a coma for four days. Her daughters were informed of the grim prognosis, with Juliet reflecting on her initial belief that her symptoms were mere flu or possibly Covid-related, never considering Legionnaires’ disease.
Juliet expressed her shock upon waking from the induced coma, realizing the severity of her condition and the slim chances of survival she had faced. Following her 12-day ICU stay, she was flown back to the UK for further medical care at Maidstone Hospital. Currently, she is under the care of a respiratory specialist as an outpatient, continuing her recovery journey.
Seeking answers, Juliet has engaged serious injury lawyers from Irwin Mitchell to investigate the circumstances surrounding her contracting Legionnaires’ disease during her holiday, which was arranged through TUI UK Limited, costing over £2,000. Emphasizing the importance of awareness and preventive measures, Juliet hopes her ordeal will shed light on the seriousness of Legionnaires’ disease.
Noting symptoms such as breathlessness, high fever, and chest discomfort, experts stress the necessity of stringent precautions in public facilities like hotels to prevent Legionnaires’ disease. Irwin Mitchell’s international serious injury lawyer, Jatinder Paul, expressed the commitment to providing Juliet with support and answers in light of her traumatic experience.
Responding to the situation, a spokesperson from TUI expressed regret over Juliet’s circumstances, refraining from detailed comments due to the ongoing legal nature of the matter.