Flesh-Eating Disease Hits Noted Writer and Hunter

By BEDFORD, Sarah and Fairfax

FISHING expert, author and conservationist Ross Millichamp is seriously ill in hospital after contracting a flesh-eating disease while hunting on Stewart Island.

Mr Millichamp contracted the rare bacterial infection necrotising fasciitis while on a hunting and fishing trip with friends on Stewart Island last week.

It is understood Mr Millichamp initially thought he was coming down with the flu when he began experiencing symptoms last Saturday.

The following day he developed pain and stiffness in his shoulder and became increasingly concerned.

On Monday morning the group contacted a district nurse by radio and arranged to have Mr Millichamp taken by helicopter to Southland Hospital.

At the hospital, Mr Millichamp was diagnosed with the bacterial infection and part of the affected shoulder area was surgically removed to try to stop the infection spreading.

He was flown to Christchurch Hospital on Tuesday and has been in intensive care since.

His wife, Ginny, has been by his side at Christchurch Hospital, where he has been unconscious and on life support.

A spokesman for the family has said they wish to maintain their privacy and preferred not to talk.

Christchurch Hospital last night said Mr Millichamp was seriously ill and was in intensive care.

It is understood that the manner in which Mr Millichamp contracted the illness is not known. Doctors are believed to have suggested that he may have been bitten by a fish while fishing for barracuda and blue cod off the coast of the island last week.

The Fish and Game manager and long-time columnist for The Press is also an accomplished author, who penned Salmon Fever: A Guide to Salmon Fishing in New Zealand, in 1997.

Public Health South Medical officer of health Derek Bell said necrotising fasciitis was not something Public Health South would normally deal with. However, if it appeared to be a problem affecting a number of people rather than an individual, they would investigate.

Until contacted by The Southland Times yesterday, Mr Bell said he was not aware of this case.

“It’s not regarded as a communicable disease that spreads between people, it’s usually just an individual occurrence,” he said.

“It’s not always possible to find the source for individual cases …

anything is possible but I haven’t heard of that sort of cause (being bitten by a fish)” .

Southland District Hospital was unable to provide details on the case yesterday.

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