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http://www.3news.co.nz/Swine-flu-pr...bid/423/articleID/101968/cat/857/Default.aspx
Swine flu precautions ground Greymouth Mayor
Thu, 30 Apr 2009 3:32p.m.
Swine flu precautions have put Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn under quarantine at home today, one day before a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister John Key.
Mr Kokshoorn and his family flew home from a holiday in Hawaii and North America a day before the "swine flu flight" that carried the flu strain to New Zealand.
A family member was now taking Tamiflu as a precaution and being tested for influenza A after becoming sick five days later, Mr Kokshoorn said today.
He said the family believed it was no more than strep throat, and if the tests were negative the quarantine would be lifted tonight.
However, if they came back positive for type A influenza, further tests would be done to determine if it was swine flu. The quarantine would also be extended.
The mayor's first appointment tomorrow is with Mr Key at 9am, a meeting he is eager to attend, but he may still be in quarantine.
Mr Kokshoorn said it was frustrating being a prisoner in his own home but appreciated the authorities were doing the right thing.
The irony was that when his family travelled to America they were on the same plane as a group from Rangitoto College travelling to Mexico, he said.
Those students and a teacher this week tested positive to swine flu upon their return to New Zealand.
The Mayor has been in contact with hundreds of people - including attending Anzac Day services throughout the district - since returning last Friday.
Mr Kokshoorn said the family doctor had alerted health authorities.
`I want to stress - I haven't got the flu. I've never been better."
NZPA
Swine flu precautions ground Greymouth Mayor
Thu, 30 Apr 2009 3:32p.m.
Swine flu precautions have put Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn under quarantine at home today, one day before a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister John Key.
Mr Kokshoorn and his family flew home from a holiday in Hawaii and North America a day before the "swine flu flight" that carried the flu strain to New Zealand.
A family member was now taking Tamiflu as a precaution and being tested for influenza A after becoming sick five days later, Mr Kokshoorn said today.
He said the family believed it was no more than strep throat, and if the tests were negative the quarantine would be lifted tonight.
However, if they came back positive for type A influenza, further tests would be done to determine if it was swine flu. The quarantine would also be extended.
The mayor's first appointment tomorrow is with Mr Key at 9am, a meeting he is eager to attend, but he may still be in quarantine.
Mr Kokshoorn said it was frustrating being a prisoner in his own home but appreciated the authorities were doing the right thing.
The irony was that when his family travelled to America they were on the same plane as a group from Rangitoto College travelling to Mexico, he said.
Those students and a teacher this week tested positive to swine flu upon their return to New Zealand.
The Mayor has been in contact with hundreds of people - including attending Anzac Day services throughout the district - since returning last Friday.
Mr Kokshoorn said the family doctor had alerted health authorities.
`I want to stress - I haven't got the flu. I've never been better."
NZPA