Three adult members of an Indian family in New Zealand who are in a vegetative state after eating what is believed to be contaminated wild boar, are being treated for botulism, NZ Herald reports.
Shibu Kochummen, his wife Subi Babu and his mother Alekutty Daniel were found unconscious by paramedics at their home, after Shibu called emergency on November 10th.
The trio were taken to Waikato Hospital and are being treated for suspected food poisoning as their condition remains serious but stable.
The doctors said they were treating them for botulism.
"While we don't know the exact cause and source of this illness, we now believe it is botulism," hospital spokeswoman Lydia Aydon told Fairfax.
"The three patients are responding to botulism anti-toxin and are recovering in hospital,” she said.
Their family friend Joji Varghese who visited the couple and the mother in hospital told Herald, there was no change in their condition.
"The reality is there is absolutely no change from yesterday. They are still stable but critical.
"They are treating them for botulism. Whether they are right - we will have to wait for the results to come. At this stage if we say anything else, it is mere speculation.
"The response at this stage is measured in that their condition is not deteriorating. But it is not improving either."
The exact cause of their illness has not yet been confirmed. It may take several weeks as samples have been sent to Queensland for testing.
The couple’s two daughters were asleep and do not seemed to have consumed the suspected contaminated meat.
The kids are currently being cared for by members of the community as other family members are expected to reach New Zealand on Monday night.
The Indian community in New Zealand have come forward to raise funds for the family.
