Travel Republic is investigating a complaint by a British family struck down with a mystery bug while on holiday in Turkey, which left their five-year-old needing hospital treatment.

Mum Sheri Smith said she, her husband and son started feeling unwell on the second day of their stay at the Delphin Imperial Resort, last month.

The 43-year-old, from Croydon, South London, said she spent five days in bed, while her five-year-old son needed to be given an IV drip in hospital, Sun Online reports.

She claims a blood test revealed he was suffering from a serious bacterial infection, which they thought was either E-coli or salmonella, although she says they couldn’t tell which infection he had.

The family initially asked to see the hotel doctor after feeling ill on day two of their stay and Sheri said that, while waiting, three other families also complained to the front desk about feeling ill.  

A spokesperson for Travel Republic said an investigation has been launched.

The spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry to hear of the experience of Miss Gill [Sheri’s maiden name] and members of her family at the Delphin Hotel and have spoken with her to discuss the matters she has raised.

“We sincerely hope that the family is now feeling better.

“We’ve started an urgent investigation with the hotel to clarify the details, and as proud members of ABTA we’ll be responding to Miss Gill fully within the timeframe that their guidelines set out.

“We’ve shared the details of the process for resolving a post-holiday issue of this nature with Miss Gill and will keep her fully informed of our progress throughout.

“We want our customers to enjoy a happy and relaxing holiday when they book with us and as such expect all the hotels we work with to meet all legally required health and safety standards.

“We take any suggestion that these have not been met very seriously and are looking into the matter with the upmost priority.”

Travel Gossip has approached Delphin Imperial Resort for a comment.