The media has a lot to answer for. Anything for sensationalism. They haven't said what age group is affected. Do you know that there have been no deaths in the States. Why cant we get one only good balanced report and not all this hype to make news that is incomplete seem like a major disaster. More people die in the world from starvation every day than Swine Flu where are the reports on that. Yes Swine Flu could be a threat but not yet, so media get it right

I agree with a lot of these comments and feel that the media are doing their very best to panic everyone. The time to call your doctor is when you feel you have this 'flu - and not before, otherwise you could spread panic. Calm down!

Elizabeth #13 - There were reports similar to those currently related to Swine Flue of SARS having reached Auckland via flights from Asia although, as will most likely be the case with Pig flu, they were dismissed.

I also find it interesting to read the reports on this website of a Palmerston North family, having returned from Los Angeles on the same flight as Rongitoto College, being quarantined in their home, yet their friends were still allowed to "Bring in Soup".

I understand a doctor with all the necessary equipment and precautions in place needing to be allowed to run tests on them, but their friends could well be infected aswell now. Sloppy Sloppy Sloppy!!!

Unfortunately, this is truly scary and it is best to be prepared. Most doctors I know have tamiflu available, and I myself have gotten doses for my family. It was quite difficult to locate available medications which caused me to search further. I had to go through 4 pharmacies to locate two packs. In the words of one of my physician mentors, "Better to have and not need, than need and not have."

How many tourists come to NZ in the winter time for snowboarding/skiing etc and leave with a cold or flu........oooooo pandemic, quick, warn the authorities.

Another version of keeping average joe on their toes and making them spend up on unnessicary "emergancy supplies". Y2K anyone?

I am very concerned about the swine flu!!! I could be wrong here, but I don't recall there being any cases of the avain flu or SARS recorded in NZ, unlike the potential cases of swine flu we are now faced with. I am certainly no fan of the media and I am more than aware of its tactics in creating social hysteria, however, it has been a deliberate move by the government to report this situation in the media as a means to reach as many people as possible who may have been in contact with carriers and may themselves be infected.

I will follow the development of this flu very closely before I start to panic but I warn people not to fall into a false sense of security..

If it was a massive issue they would most likely lock down all ways in and out of the american continent. They would also place the suspected cases not in 'home quarantine'.

Dave I disagree. What is wrong with people/countries taking appropriate precautions against a possible pandemic, especially if you are more risk adverse? (eg Hong Kong after SARS)

BTW: The World Health Organisation has just a few hours ago raised its pandemic alert level from 3 to 4. No-body is suggesting panic yet, but it is far to early to suggest that the worst is over.

No need to panic but i think this should be taken seriously. I knew a perfectly fit and healthy 23 yr old woman who died of SARS. If people don't take this seriously then there is a greater risk of it spreading if confirmed, because they won't take the nesseccary precautions.

LOL< at least theres some rationality in this world. not everone is panicking as i thought. Its easier at this moment in time to just turn off the TV & radio and ignore this circus.