Doctors in the Marshall Islands have told government officials that the castaway 's immune system is very weak and that his symptoms are consistent with someone who has signs of severe dehydration and a diet of only meat . NEW : There are conflicting reports as to when the castaway and his companion disappeared . Jose Salvador Alvarenga turned up in the Marshall Islands last week in a small boat . He claims to have been adrift for about 13 months after setting off from Mexico . The U.S. Coast Guard says he was found on Monday, but it is unclear if that means he's still alive or dead.
NEW : There are conflicting reports as to when the castaway and his companion disappeared . Jose Salvador Alvarenga turned up in the Marshall Islands last week in a small boat . He claims to have been adrift for about 13 months after setting off from Mexico . The U.S. Coast Guard says he was found on Monday, but it is unclear if that means he's still alive or dead.