Kiwi quarantined in India 'couldn't be healthier'

A New Zealand man quarantined in an Indian hospital because he is suspected of having severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) says he "couldn't be healthier".

Daimer Kinross, 42, was awaiting the final result of tests that had so far failed to show signs of the flu-like virus that has killed more than 160 people worldwide.

"I couldn't be healthier," he said from an isolation ward in a New Delhi hospital on Saturday. "I knocked off 100 push-ups this morning.

"But by the same token I can understand the precautions taken by the Indian authorities."

Mr Kinross flew to New Delhi on Wednesday after a one-day stopover in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, en route from Sydney, where he is based.

All passengers had to answer questions about contact with possible carriers of Sars, he said.

"My brother, who's been resident in Hong Kong for 18 months, flew back to Sydney the day before I left.

"I spent three or four hours with him all up that day and that's what got people concerned here."

Anyone entering Australia from Hong Kong was encouraged to stay under "house quarantine" for 10 days, he said. They are asked to wear a mask if they leave their house, and tell people why they are doing so.

"My brother's fine, but boy does he owe me," he joked.

Mr Kinross said he also had slight sinusitis, which added to Indian authorities' suspicions.

The scariest thing about his experience in India, he said, was the ambulance ride from the airport to hospital.

"It was just incredible. I thought, 'If I can survive this, I can survive anything, including Sars'.

"I've been told I'll have to spend another three to five days in isolation after I've been cleared of having Sars.

"I'd like to be out of here because I don't want someone who really has Sars walking through the door. That's my only real concern."

He has asked the New Zealand High Commission to arrange for him to be moved to another location. An American and an Australian were moved to a local YWCA for the final days of their quarantine.

- NZPA