A former primary school teacher shared her harrowing experience of battling a life-threatening illness she contracted while on a £2,000 vacation to Gran Canaria.
Juliet Leith, hailing from Maidstone, recounted her ordeal of spending 12 days in a critical care unit after experiencing flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and difficulty breathing during her stay at a four-star TUI hotel on the Spanish island. Rushed to a nearby hospital, the 58-year-old was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, leading to her being placed in an induced coma for four days.
Upon testing positive for Legionnaires’ disease, a rare and potentially severe respiratory infection, Juliet’s condition worsened despite initial treatments. Her daughters, Jenny Gower, 38, and Josie Leith, 34, flew to her side as doctors cautioned them about the slim chances of survival.
Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria, often found in stagnant water sources like air conditioning systems or hot tubs. Juliet, who arrived at the resort with her sister on September 18, 2025, stressed the importance of awareness about the disease and its symptoms.
Following her 12-day ICU stay, Juliet returned to the UK for further medical evaluation and treatment at Maidstone Hospital. Now discharged, she continues her recovery as an outpatient under specialist care.
Seeking answers, Juliet has engaged serious injury lawyers to investigate the circumstances surrounding her illness during the holiday booked through TUI UK Limited. Highlighting preventive measures like running showers and inspecting air conditioning units, she aims to raise awareness and prevent others from facing similar health crises.
Legionnaires’ symptoms include breathlessness, high fever, and chest discomfort, especially while breathing or coughing. Irwin Mitchell’s Jatinder Paul, representing Juliet, emphasized the importance of strict precautions in public buildings to prevent Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.
TUI expressed regret over Juliet’s experience, citing it as a legal matter and refraining from further comments at this stage.