A rare form of food poisoning most likely caused the deaths of a Queensland mother and daughter in Bali, their family has been told.
Noelene Bischoff, 54, and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana died last month after falling ill while on holiday.
The forensic pathologists who conducted the autopsies in Brisbane have told their family they do not suspect foul play.
Noelene's brother Malcolm Bischoff says it is suspected several factors combined to promote the growth of a rare bacteria in the fish they ate at a restaurant.
"At this stage they think the cause of death is the fish... a bacteria called scombroid poisoning, which is a very unusual type of fish poisoning. It's not very well known," he said.
Mr Bischoff says they were told it is extremely rare for someone to die from this type of food poisoning.
Both mother and daughter suffered from mild asthma, which could have also contributed to their deaths.
"They can't believe that this could happen," Mr Bischoff said.
"They're sort of saying it's just one in millions of chances that [this] could all come together for that to happen with two people at the same time."
He stressed that the results remain inconclusive and authorities are awaiting final test results.
An earlier medical examination in Bali revealed something caused the pair to choke for air before they died.
Noelene and Yvana Bischoff: Family told food poisoning likely caused deaths in Bali - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
More about scombroid poisoning: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Documents/Scombroid.pdf
Noelene Bischoff, 54, and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana died last month after falling ill while on holiday.
The forensic pathologists who conducted the autopsies in Brisbane have told their family they do not suspect foul play.
Noelene's brother Malcolm Bischoff says it is suspected several factors combined to promote the growth of a rare bacteria in the fish they ate at a restaurant.
"At this stage they think the cause of death is the fish... a bacteria called scombroid poisoning, which is a very unusual type of fish poisoning. It's not very well known," he said.
Mr Bischoff says they were told it is extremely rare for someone to die from this type of food poisoning.
Both mother and daughter suffered from mild asthma, which could have also contributed to their deaths.
"They can't believe that this could happen," Mr Bischoff said.
"They're sort of saying it's just one in millions of chances that [this] could all come together for that to happen with two people at the same time."
He stressed that the results remain inconclusive and authorities are awaiting final test results.
An earlier medical examination in Bali revealed something caused the pair to choke for air before they died.
Noelene and Yvana Bischoff: Family told food poisoning likely caused deaths in Bali - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
More about scombroid poisoning: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Documents/Scombroid.pdf
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