Shock at seeing unresponsive trio leaves visiting family ‘shattered’

The relatives of a trio who have been unresponsive in hospital for 12 days after eating wild boar have arrived in New Zealand to support their family.

Husband and wife Shibu Kochummen, 35, and Subi Babu, 32, and Kochummen’s 62-year-old mother, Alekutty Daniel, remained in a serious but stable condition in a ward at Waikato Hospital.

The trio fell ill last week after eating what was suspected to be contaminated wild boar and have been responding to botulism treatment.

Samples sent to Queensland for testing would determine the cause of their illness, though this may not be confirmed for several weeks.

Close friend Joji Varghese said Kochummen’s sister and Babu’s brother had arrived from India late on Monday night to help support the couple’s two children, aged 7 and 1.

Speaking to the Herald from Wai- kato Hospital yesterday afternoon Varghese said the jetlagged family were unprepared for what they saw.

A miscommunication meant Indian news outlets reported the trio had food poisoning, Varghese said, so their state had come as a shock.

“To see what they’ve seen — three unresponsive people — my goodness they’re shattered.”

Varghese said a silver lining was seeing the children’s reaction after being reunited with their family.

“Their eldest daughter didn’t realise she was going to be separated from her parents for this long — it’s day 12 now.

“She’s been sad and worried but when she saw her uncle and aunt she ran into their arms.”

Nothing had changed in terms of the trio’s condition over the past few days and Varghese said he was meeting the doctors on a weekly basis to discuss their condition.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Health said cases of botulism were “rare” in New Zealand.

“Prior to 2017, the most recent probable case was notified during 2014. This was the first case of botulism in New Zealand since 1985, when two cases were reported,” they said.

Patients diagnosed with botulism could be treated with an anti-toxin, which could significantly reduce the time of intensive care needed. When treated with appropriate care, most people would fully recover.