Toddler’s Dream Holiday Turns into Nightmare as E. Coli Infection Leads to Coma and Life-Altering Health Issues
A family vacation took a horrifying turn when two-year-old Chloe Crook suffered severe food poisoning at the five-star Jaz Aquaviva resort in Hurghada, Egypt, leaving her with long-lasting health complications. Shortly after arriving in July, Chloe began showing alarming symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, and severe stomach cramps, reported by the Sun. Her condition worsened rapidly, leading to a diagnosis that would change her and her family’s lives.
Chloe’s mother, Megan, described the terrifying experience as Chloe temporarily lost her vision, became non-verbal, and developed bruises on her head. Doctors determined Chloe’s kidneys were failing, and she required emergency dialysis. Further tests revealed she had contracted Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening blood condition linked to E. coli, which can also cause brain damage.
After the family returned to the UK, Chloe’s condition deteriorated further. She was placed in an induced coma for four days and later developed pneumonia and blood clots in her neck and arm. Chloe has since been discharged but has struggled with severe aftereffects. Megan, 34, said Chloe is now a “totally different girl,” needing assistance to move around and suffering from intense nightmares that often leave her waking up in terror. “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. It’s heartbreaking to see how affected she is”, according to Belfast Live.
Chloe’s parents, Megan and Alex, 40, have hired serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how she contracted E. coli and developed HUS. “The family’s holiday turned into nothing short of a nightmare after Chloe fell ill,” said Jennifer Hodgson, a lawyer with Irwin Mitchell. “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. E. coli is extremely serious and can result in long-term health problems, which is potentially the case with Chloe.”
Reflecting on their experience in Egypt, Megan shared that Chloe was initially misdiagnosed with gastroenteritis and given only paracetamol for relief. “We had to push for more tests to be done as we knew something was very wrong,” Megan explained, describing her helplessness during Chloe’s suffering.
Now, months after the trip, Chloe remains on multiple medications, including anti-seizure drugs and blood thinners, and will need yearly check-ups to monitor her kidney health. The family hopes that their legal action can help answer lingering questions and potentially prevent future cases of E. coli infections in travelers.