13 December 2023 , 17:57
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The family of a man left seriously ill after a rare mosquito bite are pleading for help to bring him home for Christmas.
James Burke was preparing to return home from a holiday in Thailand last month and had told his family he was on the way to the airport when he suddenly fell ill. His family completely lost contact with the 36-year-old, later learning through hospital workers and Thai friends that he was in ICU in critical condition in Bangkok.
James was later diagnosed with severe dengue which led to severe sepsis as a result of a mosquito bite. From thousands of miles away, they gave their consent for him to be intubated as he had gone into respiratory failure.
James was diagnosed with severe dengue which led to severe sepsis as a result of a mosquito bite (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Mr Burke, who works for a transport company in Cork city back in Ireland, remains in the ICU in Thailand, with his condition improving somewhat as he is no longer intubated. However, is still in a critical condition and requires full nursing care for all his needs, including treatment for his sepsis and other related injuries including a bleed to his brain.
James also has some nerve damage to his shoulder and is currently immobile. He also remains confused and distressed, and is unable to communicate his needs. His situation has understandably left his family hugely worried, and they have now set up a GoFundme page in an attempt to get him brought home as they struggle to afford the costs involved.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Doctors have assessed James for medical repatriation and have recommended that the safest way to get him home is air ambulance, because of his medical condition and risks. This will cost the family €176,000, equivalent to over £150,000, reports Cork Beo. His travel insurance company is also refusing to pay out, the family claims.
Speaking to PJ Coogan on radio station Cork 96 FM, James' sister Margaret said: "We can't afford to go out there because we've every penny of our savings given to the hospital; it's costing €2,700 a day to keep James where he is. We can't afford to go out there because we've every penny of our savings given to the hospital; it's costing €2,700 a day to keep James where he is.
"He took out travel insurance in good faith, they're refusing to pay out now. We're at the end of our tether it's causing deadly mental distress among the family."
Fighting back tears, Margaret added that the family had bought no presents "for the lads for Christmas" because of James's injury, and that she had been unable to go to work as a nurse. She added: "He could be home within the next day the hospital have signed that he could be released."