A woman nearly lost her life after contracting Legionnaires’ disease while on a £2,000 vacation in Gran Canaria. Juliet Leith from Maidstone spent 12 days in intensive care after experiencing flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and breathlessness at a four-star hotel.
Juliet, a retired primary school teacher, had to be put in an induced coma for four days and her daughters rushed to her side upon learning that her chances of survival were slim. She had been staying at the Suite Princess in Playa Taurito when she fell ill and was later diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after being admitted to a nearby hospital on September 26, 2025.
Despite initial treatments, Juliet’s condition worsened, leading to the induced coma. She expressed shock upon waking up and realizing the severity of her situation, as doctors informed her that her survival odds were only around 20%. After spending 12 days in the ICU, Juliet was discharged and flown back to the UK for further medical attention at Maidstone Hospital.
Following her discharge, Juliet is now under the care of a respiratory consultant as she continues her recovery as an outpatient. She has sought legal assistance from serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the circumstances surrounding her illness during the holiday booked through TUI UK Limited.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Juliet emphasized the need for increased awareness of Legionnaires’ disease symptoms and prevention methods. She stressed the importance of simple actions like running showers and inspecting air conditioning units to mitigate the risk of infection. Juliet hopes that sharing her experience will help prevent others from facing similar health crises.
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms include shortness of breath, high temperature, and chest discomfort. Jatinder Paul, the international serious injury lawyer representing Juliet, emphasized the necessity of strict precautions in public buildings to prevent the development of Legionella bacteria, the causative agent of the disease.
In response to the situation, a TUI spokesperson expressed regret over Ms. Leith’s experience and refrained from commenting further due to the legal nature of the matter.