Scott Lynda: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Scott Lynda: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:607;Page:4536] 
5.  
Dr LYNDA SCOTT (NZ National—Kaikoura) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What level of risk do the New Zealanders returning from the Hong Kong rugby sevens pose to the rest of the New Zealand population regarding the spread of SARS and what extra precautions are being taken given a Hong Kong doctor described the sevens as “a huge incubator for the rest of the world”? 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Health) 
: 
 I want to thank the member and other health spokespeople for their continuing engagement on this important public health issue. There is some concern of course about those attending the sevens but I am advised there is a level of risk from anybody coming from any affected country. Rugby supporters however are not likely to represent the same level of risk as those who have lived in Hong Kong. Most cases have occurred among close contacts of people who have developed severe acute respiratory syndrome including family members and health-care workers. For people who have not had contact with the disease and do not have any symptoms the level of risk is considered low. 
Dr Lynda Scott 
: Now that the World Health Organization is recommending screening of airline passengers is she still “flabbergasted” as she said 2 weeks ago at this suggestion and what is being done to identify people with symptoms? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: The World Health Organization has recommended that authorities in affected territories screen passengers before they depart from their destination so there is not a lot I can do for people who are leaving from Hong Kong. However we have done a lot in New Zealand in terms of passenger arrivals and as the member will know yesterday severe acute respiratory syndrome was made a notifiable disease. We have also upgraded the travel advisory for travellers travelling overseas. This morning staff of the Auckland District Health Board met two flights from Hong Kong to ensure that passengers were given appropriate information. As there is no screening test and the disease has an incubation period of 3 to 10 days it is very difficult to screen people as they arrive unless they are showing symptoms. 
Steve Chadwick 
: Are any other precautions being taken by health authorities to manage potential risks posed by travellers from affected countries? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: Yes the Ministry of Health is monitoring this on a daily basis and is in close contact with the World Health Organization and other countries where severe acute respiratory syndrome is occurring. As I said we already have an Order in Council to be able to detain assess and isolate suspected cases. We have the travel advisory and we also have information being provided in five languages and being distributed in New Zealand to people who arrive back from overseas and to visitors to New Zealand. There is an 0800 number so that people can get information before they travel. We are fortunate that New Zealand did undertake a pandemic exercise last year which helped us to set up mechanisms to ensure that we are ready as much as one can be. 
Pita Paraone 
: Has her ministry made any recommendations to the Minister of Immigration regarding short-term and long-term arrivals entering this country from countries at a high risk of sudden acute respiratory syndrome such as China and other Asian countries which make up a large proportion of our arrivals; if so what are they; if not why not? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: No I have not received any information but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Health are considering issuing an advisory request for tour groups and others from affected areas to postpone travel to New Zealand. It is an issue that is being dealt with at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade level rather than at immigration level. 
Dr Lynda Scott 
: What powers will the Ministry of Health have to identify and contain infectious patients now that severe acute respiratory syndrome has become a notifiable disease and does the 0800 number give advice on symptoms and action if New Zealanders are worried? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: In relation to the last part of that question New Zealanders who are worried can get information on the symptoms. In fact that information is provided to all New Zealanders and other travellers as they arrive back in New Zealand. The Order in Council that makes the disease notifiable under the Health Act does set out quite specific powers that the medical officers of health have. There are quite a number and I am happy to provide the member with them. 
Ron Mark 
: I seek leave of the House to table information that shows that at 11.30 a.m. today in Auckland some 300 people arrived from Hong Kong and not one was screened given advice or in any way checked for severe acute respiratory syndrome. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.