The Waikato family who have been hospitalised after eating potentially contaminated wild boar last week are now in a stable condition and are responding to treatment.
The three people, from Putaruru in south Waikato - Shibu Kochummen, his wife Subi Babu and his mother Alekutty Daniel - were found by paramedics lying unconscious in their home on Friday night after Mr Kochummen reportedly collapsed midway through making an emergency call for help.
Waikato Hospital executive director of public and organisational affairs Lydia Aydon confirmed to 1 NEWS the illness is believed to be botulism, but the trio have not been diagnosed.
There was no evidence of a risk to public health.
"The three patients are responding to botulism anti-toxin and are recovering in hospital," a Waikato District Health Board spokesperson said.
"We have sent samples off to a specialist centre in Queensland for testing but it may take several weeks before we get the results."
Waikato DHB spokeswoman Kathryn Jenkin told 1 NEWS the botulism anti-toxin for the three patients was transported from Auckland Hospital to Waikato Hospital yesterday.
If patients present with botulism-type symptoms they can be given an antitoxin which can reduce further nerve damage. However recovery can take many months as nerves slowly regenerate.
Family friend Sojan Joseph says one of the stricken is on a visitor's visa from India and fundraising has begun for her.
Family friend Sojan Joseph told 1 NEWS the local church attended by the family has begun fundraising efforts to help with the treatment of the mother Alekutty Daniel, over fears she will not be covered by ACC since she is here on a visitor's visa from India.
The public health investigation is ongoing after the three family members were found unconscious in their home last week after possibly eating contaminated wild boar.
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