Family's flu drama in China appals father

An Auckland family, one member pregnant and another with a broken arm, has endured a torrid 24 hours in China after two children tested positive for swine flu on a stopover.

Orthopaedic surgeon Caspar Aylott, from Parnell, was intending to work temporarily in a hospital in Wenzhou in southeastern China.

But after his daughters Meredith, 3, and Celeste, 5, were discovered with high temperatures at the city's airport, his family were isolated in a dirty basement of the hospital.

"The temperature of our two children was slightly raised ... and then everything started. People arrived in protective gear, like spacesuits, and we were taken by ambulance, lights flashing, to this hospital," said Mr Aylott.

Tests taken at the hospital revealed that the girls had a high likelihood of carrying H1N1, and the family were told they could expect seven days' isolation.

Mr Aylott said he was shocked by the conditions which his family were placed in, as his wife Victoria was in the early stages of pregnancy, and Celeste had broken her arm at Parnell School just hours before their flight.

"We were in a tiny basement, with one bed, a bucket as a toilet ... no air-con, 30 degree heat, none of our luggage, and there is no way we are getting out of here."

They were moved to another hospital, but immediately protested once they saw the inadequate accommodation.

"It was even worse. A tiny room with three cramped beds. No shower. We said absolutely no way. After a standoff, we tried to walk away, we grabbed the children and tried to walk out of the hospital, through a market.

"We were being pursued by all these people in white coats, in masks, you can just picture it - complete pandemonium."

Their protest meant they were moved to more comfortable premises, in the top floor of a motel, but their problems were not over.

"They tried to separate us from the children, because they were infected, but we said no way, you have to be kidding."

The British-born family must remain in Wenzhou until Friday before they can return to their hometown in Bristol.

"We are being looked after well now. But since those raised temperatures it just started a process we are locked into.

"It was totally unexpected. Suddenly you find yourself in a serious and difficult situation. We were just travelling, with no symptoms, fit and well."