EasyJet investigates after boy suffers kidney failure following Egypt family holiday

EasyJet is investigating after a 10-year-old boy was hospitalised with E. coli and kidney failure following a family holiday to Egypt.

Caroline Lawton travelled to Sharm El Sheikh with her husband Ross, daughter Lola, son Jude and four other relatives on a 12-night all-inclusive EasyJet package holiday.

The day before the family was due to fly home, Jude developed an upset stomach. Initially, Caroline believed he had "Egypt belly", but after noticing fresh blood in his stool during the flight home on June 7, she became alarmed and took him to a GP.

His condition rapidly deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital, where he tested positive for STEC E. coli, a bacterial infection that can cause bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever. Doctors later confirmed the infection had progressed to haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a rare but potentially life-threatening complication affecting the kidneys.

Jude was transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool after his kidneys failed completely. He underwent dialysis and received a blood transfusion before his kidney function gradually began to recover. He was discharged on July 6 after almost a month in hospital.

Caroline said Jude had only eaten away from the hotel once during the holiday and is now sharing his story to help others recognise the warning signs.

She said: "He started feeling genuinely unwell on Saturday [June 6].

"He had loose stools but genuinely nothing concerning, we thought he had just got a little bit of 'Egypt belly'.

"It was on the plane that I first noticed the fresh blood in his stool and I did start to panic."

Describing his condition in hospital, she said: "[In hospital], he started to puff up and he was swollen, he couldn't even open his eyes properly.

"The renal consultant came to chat to us and this is when we began to realise the severity of the situation that his kidney function was quickly declining."

She added: "As soon as he woke up and came around from surgery, he was wheeled straight into dialysis as at this point his kidneys had completely failed."

Jude's kidney function has since improved, but Caroline says he will remain under medical supervision for the next five years.

She urged parents to seek medical help if they notice blood in a child's stool or reduced urination.

"I wanted to spread awareness to stop any other families going through this as it's been very traumatic," she said.

EasyJet said it has remained in regular contact with the family and is working with its hotel partner to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jude's illness.

An easyJet holidays spokesperson said: "We're really sorry that Jude has been unwell.

"We have been in regular contact with Jude's family and are continuing to offer them any support and assistance they need.

"We are working closely with our hotel partner to carry out a thorough investigation into what happened."

The World Health Organization has also been contacted for comment.