A dad-of-two was placed into a coma and says he nearly died after contracting a rare disease from a ‘dirty’ 4-star hotel in Turkey.
Richard Moore, 55, began suffering from a fever and chest pains after returning from a five-day holiday with his partner Julie, and was found to have a deadly disease.
But he became ill and was rushed to the hospital, where he was placed into a coma. Julie and his two children were told he might not survive.
The holiday was meant to be a short break before Richard, from Blyth, Northumberland, began his new job as an executive chef.
‘Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health, and very nearly my life,’ he recalled.
Richard and his family forked out £2,000 for the four-star Champion Holiday Village in Kemer, Turkey, in August last year.
Concerns about the accommodation began shortly after arrival, with the family noting the hotel was ‘dirty’, and the room felt ‘damp and musty’.
‘I can’t specifically pinpoint one thing, but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower,’ he said.
‘The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down, and the sofa in the hotel room beneath the air con felt damp throughout the holiday, which made me think it was leaking.’
After their holiday ended, Richard came back to the UK, and he began suffering from what he said were flu-like illnesses.
On August 30, he developed chest pains, shortness of breath and a fever and was admitted to the hospital, where he was forced to stay for a month, costing him his new dream job.
Doctors confirmed he was suffering from potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease, and he needed five days of hospital treatment, antibiotics and an IV drip.
Richard doesn’t recall much of his time hospital, but says he recalls the fear of not knowing what’s wrong.
‘I’m lucky to be alive, but it’s so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live. I never realised Legionnaires’ disease was so serious and I want to tell my story to make other people aware of the symptoms and the dangers,’ he said.
He urged those on holiday who have issues with a hotel to have it looked at urgently, as they might not be as lucky as he was.
Richard still continues to struggle with lethargy, weakness and mobility issues linked to Legionnaires’ disease.
What is Legionnaires’ disease, and how do you get it?
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially very serious lung infection which people can catch if they breathe in tiny droplets of water which contain bacteria that cause the illness.
People aged over 50, smokers and those with chronic lung conditions or who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of developing the disease.
It is usually caught from things such as air conditioning systems, hot tubs and humidifiers, in places like offices, hotels or hospitals where the bacteria have got into the water supply.
Early signs of the rare Legionnaires’ disease include ‘flu-like’ symptoms, such as a dry cough and fever, which can develop into pneumonia.
Around 90% of people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not experience symptoms.
But up to 15% of those who do become ill can suffer from severe disease.
He has now instructed travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his Legionnaires’ disease.
Jennifer Hodgson, representing Richard, said: ‘Legionnaires’ disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before symptoms of the illness start to appear.
‘As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term. Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we’re determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves.’
Metro has contacted Champion Village Hotel for comment.
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