Government considers stopping tourists from countries hit by deadly virus

By FRANCESCA MOLD and ANGELA GREGORY

Health authorities were last night considering asking tour groups from countries affected by the deadly pneumonia virus Sars to postpone travelling here.

Health Minister Annette King revealed the plan in Parliament yesterday but health officials later said the idea was still being discussed.

The move to step up New Zealand's defence against the mystery flu-like virus followed reports of a possible case of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Australia.

The male patient, who had spent two days in Singapore, was in hospital in Sydney in February with a fever, cough and shortness of breath but has since recovered.

Latest World Health Organisation figures showed 1700 probable Sars cases worldwide and 62 deaths, most in China and Hong Kong.

The move also comes after an Air New Zealand flight to Hong Kong was delayed when two cabin crew refused to board because they were worried about catching the virus.

Air New Zealand is playing down yesterday's delay but spokeswoman Val Hayes confirmed that two flight attendants had refused to work on the plane.

She said the airline was taking regular advice from the Ministry of Health and keeping staff fully informed with daily briefings.

The Director of Public Health, Colin Tukuitonga, last night confirmed that the ministry was discussing with Foreign Affairs officials giving advice to incoming tour groups.

At this stage, New Zealand was simply acting in anticipation of a serious health threat. "We do not yet have one case of Sars and we don't want to over-react."

Any move to put off visitors could hurt the tourism sector, already worried about the effect of the Iraq war.

About two million people visited New Zealand last year, spending about $6.14 billion.

Yesterday a group of MPs planning a trip to China and Japan over Easter decided to postpone their travel plans.

National's health spokeswoman, Dr Lynda Scott, said the Government should follow the WHO's recommendation to screen passengers from affected areas. But Ms King said there was no screening test because the cause of the virus was not known.

The disease also had an incubation period of three to 10 days, which made it difficult to screen people unless they were showing symptoms, such as a high fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Auckland District Health Board staff yesterday met planeloads of travellers arriving from Hong Kong, where many had watched the rugby sevens tournament. Dr Tukuitonga said New Zealanders returning from Hong Kong were probably at less risk than thousands of other travellers arriving from affected areas.

"What we do know is that most cases of infection are in health professionals or family members in close contact with someone with Sars," he said.

Some New Zealanders arriving back from the sevens were told by their employers not to come back to work for up to a week to ensure they were not carrying the virus.

Darryn Boyle, of Christchurch, said he had been told by his boss to stay home another four days.

The 25-year-old sales rep was not concerned about his health, because he had worn a mask in Hong Kong and on the plane.

Aotearoa Maori Women Rugby Sevens prop Honey Hireme, who arrived back on a Cathay Pacific flight, said she knew all the symptoms and felt "as healthy as".

But a Hong Kong businessman, Jan Andersson, said he did not think New Zealand officials were taking the risk seriously enough.

He was amazed Customs officers were handling passports and talking to hundreds of visitors from Hong Kong without using gloves and masks.

Mr Andersson said many Hong Kong residents were afraid and not shaking hands.

Dr Richard Masters, a New Zealander who teaches experimental psychology at Hong Kong University, said he was growing more worried about the risk to his young family and was contemplating sending them back to New Zealand.

Schools had closed and his wife and children were keeping away from public places.

His lectures had been cancelled and he was teaching using electronic communications.

People needing advice about Sars should call 0800 080 080.