Touring NZ teams on flu alert

The deadly illness has travelling New Zealand sports teams on tenterhooks.

The New Zealand sevens rugby team are scheduled to fly out on Sunday for the annual Hong Kong Sevens from March 28-30.

By then the United States-led war against Iraq will probably have begun, but of more concern to officials is the outbreak in Southeast Asia of a pneumonia with no known treatment.

The New Zealand men's hockey team left yesterday for the nine-day Sultan Aslan Shah tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, which starts on Saturday. They were also wary of the threat posed by the mystery illness.

The fast-spreading pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, could have caused the postponement of the sevens tournament and was being closely monitored by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRFU).

Acting deputy chief-executive Steve Tew said the illness was a cause for concern and the union was considering sending an extra doctor.

"It's not to be taken lightly," he said.

"We'll be talking to the Ministry of Health and International Rugby Board people in Asia. We want to make sure that the risk is manageable or we reconsider [sending a team]."

The Hong Kong Rugby Union had yesterday confirmed the tournament would go ahead.

"They don't believe there is any immediate health risk."

- NZPA