A former elementary school educator revealed her harrowing experience of falling critically ill after contracting an illness while on a £2,000 vacation to Gran Canaria. Juliet Leith, a resident of Maidstone, found herself in a dire situation, spending 12 days in intensive care with symptoms resembling the flu, joint pain, and difficulty breathing while residing at a four-star TUI hotel. The 58-year-old was swiftly hospitalized on the Spanish island after developing severe pneumonia.
After being placed in a medically induced coma for four days, Juliet’s daughters rushed to her side upon learning of the grave prognosis. Subsequent testing revealed she had been infected with a rare and potentially severe disease during her stay at the TUI BLUE Suite Princess in Playa Taurito.
Juliet and her sister, Maureen, arrived at the resort on September 18, 2025, only for Juliet to experience flu-like symptoms and be admitted to the hospital just four days later, where she tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. According to NHS England, Legionnaires’ disease is a respiratory infection transmitted through inhaling water droplets from sources like air conditioning systems, hot tubs, or infrequently used baths and showers. Although uncommon, the disease can pose significant health risks.
Despite initial treatment efforts, Juliet’s condition worsened, leading to her placement in a coma for four days, with medical professionals cautioning her daughters, Jenny Gower, 38, and Josie Leith, 34, about the slim chances of survival. Reflecting on her ordeal, Juliet expressed shock at the seriousness of Legionnaires’ disease, emphasizing the need for greater awareness of its symptoms and potential dangers.
Upon returning to the UK, Juliet spent twelve days in the ICU before being transferred to Maidstone Hospital for continued care. Following her discharge, she was referred to a respiratory specialist for further monitoring as an outpatient.
Seeking answers regarding her illness, Juliet has enlisted the assistance of serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the circumstances surrounding her contraction of Legionnaires’ disease during her holiday, arranged through TUI UK Limited. Stressing the importance of preventative measures, Juliet highlighted the significance of simple actions like running showers and inspecting air conditioning units to mitigate the risk of Legionnaires’ disease.
With a focus on raising awareness, Juliet shared her story in the hope of preventing similar incidents and emphasized the critical need for vigilance surrounding the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, which include breathing difficulties, high fever, and chest pain. Jatinder Paul, the international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Juliet, acknowledged the gravity of her near-fatal encounter and underscored the necessity of stringent precautions in public spaces to prevent Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks.
In response to the situation, a spokesperson for TUI expressed regret over Ms. Leith’s circumstances, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring customers have a positive holiday experience while refraining from further comment due to the legal nature of the matter.
