Flu added to hit list

Swine flu is being added to the list of diseases that can trigger sweeping anti-epidemic measures as the Government widens its options in case the flu spreads in New Zealand.

The Health Ministry confirmed swine flu would be added to a 2006 law, drawn up at the height of fears of a bird flu pandemic, to allow a range of responses, including forced quarantine.

The move adds swine flu to the four other diseases considered serious enough for the most draconian responses to control an epidemic: human-transmitted bird flu, yellow fever, cholera and the plague.

Health Minister Tony Ryall stressed yesterday that the response to the suspected swine flu cases remained focused on public health messages, but said there had been talks about the circumstances in which the anti-epidemic laws might be needed.

""We're looking at those options of what needs to happen if there's an escalation."

Health authorities instituted a "Code Yellow" alert on Sunday after the suspected swine flu cases at Rangitoto College.

A ministry spokesman said it was the first time New Zealand had been in Code Yellow, a "standby phase" to alert authorities of a significant development in a virus overseas or isolated cases here. Code Red declaration of an emergency could be invoked if the disease began to be transmitted through the general population.

The 2006 Epidemic Preparedness Act allows draconian measures in the event of an epidemic, including the ability to suspend almost all laws, compulsory medical examination, treatment and quarantine, and sweeping travel restrictions. Police can be called in to ensure compliance.