article in todays smh - may push some activity???

Bird flu fears as kids sick on plane
March 16, 2005

A bird flu scare sparked an emergency services callout to Wellington airport after two Chinese children became violently ill during a flight from Melbourne.

Fire Service and ambulance officers were waiting for the Air New Zealand flight carrying 93 passengers as it arrived at Wellington on Tuesday afternoon.

Some passengers had originally travelled from Asia.

It is understood authorities held grave fears that the children could be sick with the bird flu, which has killed at least 47 people in Asia.

The children, believed aged about four and seven, were vomiting during the NZ152 flight.

The plane arrived soon after 3pm on Tuesday and the children were treated by ambulance staff at the airport.

Authorities assessed their condition and the family was cleared to remain in Wellington. The children did not need hospital treatment.

The return flight to Melbourne, with 137 passengers, was delayed 90 minutes.

The captain told travellers the delay was due to precautionary action after a bird flu scare, one of the passengers said.

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AdvertisementAir New Zealand confirmed the incident on Wednesday, but would not comment on the bird flu suspicions.

A spokesman confirmed the family had travelled from China and boarded the flight in Melbourne.

"On arrival in Wellington, airport authorities were notified that there was a sick passenger, who had started their journey in China," he said.

"The authorities assessed the situation and type of illness and decided that there appeared to be no health risks, so the family was cleared for entry."

The World Health Organisation has warned the bird flu virus, known as H5N1, carries the gravest possible risk of a pandemic, with the potential to kill millions if combined with human influenza.

Airports also remain on high alert for sick passengers after SARS killed nearly 800 people in 2003.