Wellington, April 27 NZPA - As 10 people await swine flu test results after returning from Mexico, health officials are satisfied they have moved quickly to prevent a potential spread.

Ten people from Auckland's Rangitoto College have tested positive for Influenza A and await results of tests for the potentially lethal swine flu, while three more from Northcote College are awaiting Influenza A test results.

All were among student and teacher groups who returned to Auckland at the weekend from Mexico, where more than 80 people are feared to have died from swine flu.

Health officials and Health Minister Tony Ryall fronted a press conference in Wellington today and were pressed over whether procedures were put in place quickly enough here to deal with a potential outbreak.

Director of public health Mark Jacobs said any response here to the situation in Mexico had to come on the back of information from health officials overseas and testing of the individuals who showed flu-like symptoms when they returned.

"Until late yesterday afternoon, we didn't even know for sure whether these people had influenza," Dr Jacobs said.

The groups affected had been asked to stay at home, while those on the Air New Zealand NZ1 flight with the Rangitoto group were being contacted and advised of the situation.

If those from Northcote College with flu-like symptoms tested positive to Influenza A, other passengers on their NZ5 flight would be contacted.

The Ministry of Health urged anyone who had returned from North America and Mexico in the past fortnight to be vigilant about contacting their GP if they experienced flu-like symptoms.

Dr Jacobs said the swine flu virus, in the same family as the Influenza A strain, was no more infectious than other strains and unlikely to spread throughout the plane.

"In general, the risk would be more for people sitting nearby."

Standard airline cleaning was likely to be effective in preventing the spread of such a virus to future passengers on the same plane.

Those tested for swine flu had tests sent to Melbourne and results are expected later in the week, while those tested for Influenza A should get results later today.

Director-general of health Stephen McKernan said officials here were in staying in touch with the World Health Organisation and closely watching developments in other countries.

Cases of swine flu have also been either confirmed or suspected in other countries including the United States, Canada, Spain, France, Israel and Brazil.

The Health Ministry said five flights arrived this morning from the Americas.

Health personnel were at the airport screening those disembarking and of about 1000, two had been "actively" screened, meaning they had reported symptoms to either air crew or ground staff.

However, no suspected cases have been identified from those flights.

Rangitoto College principal David Hodge told NZPA today the biggest concern to date was the hospitalisation of a staff member.

"She was admitted overnight. They have kept her in North Shore Hospital overnight, which is not a good sign, but they are looking after her."

The teacher had been treated with Tamiflu and was expected to be discharged this afternoon.

Officials said there was a good level of community awareness about the issue.

However, it was also the time of the year when people were struck down with common cold and flu viruses.

People who had not been to the Americas or had contact with those who had needed to react to flu symptoms in the same way they always had.

Labour health spokeswoman Ruth Dyson said New Zealand was prepared to handle a pandemic but must concentrate on containment if there was a swine flu outbreak.

The former Labour government stockpiled medication in case of a pandemic, he said.

"New Zealanders can be confident that their health professionals and health organisations have been prepared in case of such an emergency.

"It is important that we concentrate on containment of the outbreak and the recovery of those infected."

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