Two die from Legionnaires’ disease on Saga holiday
Two British holidaymakers have died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease on a Saga holiday in Spain.
The two male pensioners died after staying at the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe.
One died in hospital this morning while the other was found dead in a hotel room.
A Saga spokesman confirmed: "It was reported to us on Saturday January 14 that a customers who had stayed at the Diamante Beach Hotel in Spain was being treated for pneumonia caused by legionella.
"When that happened we immediately sent out a scientific expert to Spain and informed our guests there and offered to move them to a different hotel.
"We also contacted people who had stayed at the hotel in the previous month telling them to contact their doctor if they were experiencing flu-like symptoms.
"Five people who had since returned to the UK had been to the doctors and were confirmed as having contracted legionella. Four were discharged and one is still in hospital in the UK and responding to treatment.
"In Spain there were five people treated in hospital, one was treated and discharged and three are responding to treatment in wards. One gentleman was treated in the intensive care unit and passed away this morning."
The spokesman added: "This is clearly a very upsetting time for families and staff. We have sent extra people to Spain to support them in any way we can. We treat people on our holidays are part of the family and this is a great tragedy and our condolences go out."
The Foreign Office said it was providing consular assistance to those affected and their families.
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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