Fishing expert seriously ill
Millichamp contracted the rare bacterial infection necrotising fasciitis while on a hunting and fishing trip with friends on Stewart Island last week.
The Press understands Millichamp initially thought he was coming down with the flu when he began experiencing symptoms on Saturday. On Sunday 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 Millichamp taken by helicopter to Invercargill Hospital.
At Invercargill, 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.
Millichamps wife, Ginny, has been by his side at Christchurch Hospital, where he has been unconscious and on life support.
A spokesman for the family said last night that they wished to maintain their privacy and preferred not to talk.
Christchurch Hospital would say only that Millichamp was seriously ill and was in intensive care.
The Press understands that the manner in which 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 Press columnist is also an accomplished author, who penned Salmon Fever: A Guide to Salmon Fishing in New Zealand, in 1997.
He has been a long-time employee at Fish and Game, most recently as manager for the North Canterbury region, and a contributor to fishing magazines for many years.
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm under