Mum And Dad Instruct Specialist Lawyers To Investigate After Daughter Hospitalised Abroad Following Stay At Jaz Aquaviva Hurghada

A two-year-old girl from Kent has been left with life-changing injuries after being diagnosed with Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), a known complication of E. coli, following the family’s holiday to Egypt this summer.

Chloe travelled to the five-star Jaz Aquaviva resort in Hurghada in July this year with her mum Megan, 34, and dad Alex, 40. The one-week trip was booked through tour operator TUI.

Girl suffering from gastric symptoms is taken to hospital by ambulance

Two days in, Chloe began suffering from debilitating gastric symptoms including bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, fatigue and stomach cramps. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Egypt, where she was administered intravenous (IV) medication, including antibiotics.

Within days, Chloe’s condition worsened. She temporarily lost her eyesight, became non-verbal, appeared in obvious pain, and bruising appeared under the skin on her head. Tests revealed her kidneys weren’t functioning and she experienced several seizures. She underwent emergency dialysis whilst semi sedated and was subsequently diagnosed with E. coli.

Chloe was found to have Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal blood condition linked to E. coli which can lead to kidney failure and brain damage. Following the family’s return home to the UK, she was placed into an induced coma for 4 days. Chloe subsequently developed pneumonia and was found to have a blood clot in her neck and arm, which she also received treatment for.

Family contact international serious injury lawyers

Chloe’s parents have now instructed expert international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate their daughter’s illness.

Jennifer Hodgson is the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family.

Expert Opinion

“To hear what Chloe has been through and continues to suffer with to this day, is hugely worrying, particularly at such a young age.

“The family’s holiday turned into nothing short of a nightmare after Chloe fell ill. They understandably have many questions and concerns over how she went on to develop E. coli, and the subsequent complications as a result of developing HUS.

“Through our work, we know that the dangers of gastric illnesses and infections should never be downplayed. E. coli is extremely serious and can result in long-term health problems, which is potentially the case with Chloe.

“If, during the course of our investigations, any issues are identified, action needs to be taken to reduce the risk of other holidaymakers falling ill in the future.

“As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Jaz Aquaviva, Hurghada, Egypt.” Jennifer Hodgson

Holiday illness: Chloe's story

The family’s holiday took place between 2 and 10 July. Almost four months on, Chloe is on anti-seizure medication, blood thinners, and a number of other medications. She continued to suffer from vomiting and lack of appetite for a period and now gets tired easily.

Prior to the illness, Chloe was very active and sociable, but upon discharge from hospital required assistance with moving and standing and still struggles to interact with anyone outside of her close family. 

She will also require annual check-ups on her kidney function.

Chloe's mum reveals 'shock' of daughter's diagnosis

Her mother Megan stated “Chloe has been left traumatised by what she has been through, and it has been incredibly difficult to try and come to terms with what’s happened.

“When we were in Egypt, she was in so much pain and was only given paracetamol as relief. The standard of care was nowhere near what we would have expected, and we kept being told that Chloe had gastroenteritis.

“We had to push for more tests to be done, as we knew there was something very wrong with our daughter. It was so distressing for Alex and me to see her like that and know that we couldn’t do anything; we felt completely helpless.

“To find out that it was E. coli and H.U.S was a huge shock to us, we have read reports on tragic cases of this where children have been brain damaged or lost their life due to this horrific illness and we were terrified, then to be told she was suffering an acute kidney injury and had to be placed into an induced coma due to the seizures, was horrifying.

“We heard about other children that had stayed at the Jaz Aquaviva who were suffering from similar symptoms; including one child vomiting in the pool while we were there, and the pool being evacuated.

“The fact that the hotel wasn’t closed and were still letting people stay there was awful. It’s classed as a five- star hotel, but it’s far from that in our opinion”.

She added: “Since coming home, Chloe is a totally different girl. She used to be very social and loved going to nursery, but now she shies away from interacting with people outside her immediate circle. She’s also started having nightmares about being in hospital; waking up screaming and shouting “NO” repeatedly and it’s horrible to see how affected she is.

“We want to put a warning out to others who are thinking about travelling to Egypt. We wouldn’t wish what our family has gone through on anyone.”

Outsource company manager Samantha also diagnosed with Shigella following holiday

Another holidaymaker, Samantha Rice, was diagnosed with Shigella after returning from the Jaz Aquaviva resort in Hurghada this summer.

Samantha’s trip, also booked through TUI, took place from 16 to 31 July, with her falling ill just one week in.  She suffered bloody diarrhoea, fatigue, stomach cramps and a high temperature.  She also had a rash.

She required hospital treatment in Egypt, including intravenous (IV) fluids and blood tests.

Upon her return to the UK, Samantha, from Preston, was diagnosed with Shigella.  She was admitted to hospital and administered IV antibiotics.

Almost three months on, Samantha, 32, is now awaiting tests results to confirm whether or not her illness has led to her developing diabetes.

Samantha, who is a manager for an outsource company, was signed off work for 11 weeks and has since returned on a part-time basis.  She has continued to struggle in her role since falling ill and may eventually lose her job if appropriate workplace adjustments are unable to be made.

Samantha speaks out on how experience has left her 'stressed'

She said: “The whole experience has left me devastated and feeling very stressed about what I eat; I am now reluctant to go for meals out.

“I’m not usually one to be unwell, so when the symptoms started I knew something wasn’t quite right.  But not for one minute did I expect it to develop so rapidly.  To then be told I had Shigella and may possibly develop diabetes came as a huge shock.

“I’ve now heard about so many other people that were sick, and when I think back the hygiene was very questionable.  There were flies around the food and the cleaning of the resort left a lot to be desired, poo left smeared on the wall of the public toilet cubicle for a couple of days!  I don’t even remember seeing the pool being cleaned the whole time I was there.

“To think I may have to leave my job as a result is incredibly upsetting and, while there’s nothing I can do to change what’s happened, I feel I deserve some answers.”

Find out more about our expertise in supporting people affected by serious illness on holiday at our dedicated illness abroad section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.