Three adult members of an Indian family in New Zealand are lying in a vegetative state and may be paralysed for life after eating what is believed to be contaminated wild boar, 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 Friday night.
The trio were taken to Waikato Hospital and are being treated for suspected food poisoning.
Shibu is a keen hunter and had brought home a boar he had caught earlier that day, family friend Joji Varghese told .
The couple’s two daughters were asleep and do not have seemed to consumed the meat.
The kids are currently being cared for by members of the community as the couple and the mother’s condition is believed to be very serious with only brief spells of consciousness.
Varghese said the meat had been taken away for testing and the findings from a toxicology report are awaited.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Vipond said officials were investigating potential sources for the illness: "In this case ... wild pork meat is one.
"We do not have any evidence to determine any broader contaminated game meat, or that there is a risk to public health, however I would encourage anyone who is hunting or handling game meat to follow guidelines as set out by the Ministry for Primary Industries."
Varghese said the family had moved from India to New Zealand five years ago from India.
"These were extremely active, full of life people,” he said, breaking down in tears.
Varghese said medical specialists had indicated it could take up to two months for the poison to clear their bodies and there was a possibility they might suffer long term damage including paralysis or tremors.
It is understood the couple’s mother, who is on a visitor's visa does not have medical insurance and will have to bear the full cost of the treatment.
Indian High Commissioner Sanjeev Kohli was quoted as saying the embassy staff was working with family and friends to do whatever they could to help.
"We remain deeply concerned," said Kohli. "It's a really unfortunate incident."
The community has rallied behind the family and have initiated a fund-raising activity to help the family.
