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NZ goes to 'code white'
Auckland public health response centre activated by 3pm. Nurses assess Rangitoto group by 6pm. Swabs are taken, Tamiflu provided, and pupils isolated with their families by 10pm. New Zealand's status is upgraded to "<a href="http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/mexican-swine-influenza-update-270409" target="_blank">code white</a>". -
Doctors raise alarm
The unwell Rangitoto College pupils see their GPs. At 12.30pm, one of the GPs contacts Auckland Regional Public Health Services. -
Return from Mexico
5am - Air New Zealand Flight NZ1 arrives in Auckland carrying 22 Rangitoto College pupils who had been travelling in Mexico, <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/2364725/swine-flu-1000-passengers-screened" target="_blank">some with flu-like symptoms</a>.
6.30am - Northcote College students return from Mexico on Air NZ flight NZ5. -
10 Influenza A cases confirmed
On Sunday night testing reveals <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2364487/Swine-flu-likely-in-New-Zealand-teens" target="_blank">10 of the Rangitoto group</a> had Influenza A, of which swine flu is a subset. Ministry officials decided that they should be treated as "probable" cases of swine flu. -
Health Minister informed
Morning - Officials notify Health Minister Tony Ryall of the affected Rangitoto pupils and the possible pandemic. -
NZ goes to 'code yellow'
New Zealand's alert status is upgraded to "Code Yellow". This is a standby phase, used to alert the health sector when there has been a significant development in the virus overseas, or single isolated cases in New Zealand. -
More travellers unwell
Three ill Northcote College pupils from flight NZ5 are tested for Influenza A. Two of the Rangitoto College party members are hospitalised but later released. Other areas - including Waikato, Nelson, Dunedin and Christchurch - report suspected cases. Swabs are taken and patients isolated at home. A Wellington District Court trial <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/2367513/At-least-100-dead-worldwide" target="_blank">is aborted</a> because of the judge's flu symptoms. -
Travel warnings
Prime Minister John Key warns New Zealanders planning to travel to Mexico to "think very cautiously".
India <a href="http://english.sina.com/world/2009/0427/237010.html" target="_blank">issues a warning</a> against travel to New Zealand, as well as the United States, Mexico, Canada, and France. -
Airport passengers screened
Passengers arriving at <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2364745/Swine-flu-concerns-spread-nationwide" target="_blank">Auckland International Airport</a> from the Americas are checked. Officials seek all passengers from the infected NZ1 flight. -
Death toll reaches 149
Close to 150 people are thought to have died from swine flu in Mexico. The World Health Organisation <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/world/2368655/WHO-raises-alert-level" target="_blank">raises its threat level</a> and starts work on a vaccine. -
Travel warning upgraded
NZ's <a href="http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/destinations/mexico.shtml" target="_blank">travel advisory</a> to Mexico is upgraded to "high risk" and the Government advises against all non-essential travel. -
Swine flu confirmed
Test results <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2368393/Swine-flu-in-New-Zealand-cases-confirmed" target="_blank">confirm</a> three Rangitoto pupils have swine flu.
Health officials <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2368393/Health-Minister-on-swine-flu-Don-t-panic" target="_blank">reveal</a> there are 56 new "suspected" cases of swine flu nationwide. This is on top of the three confirmed and eight "probable" Rangitoto College cases. -
More suspected cases
Health officials <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/2373592/Scientists-fear-flu-could-mutate" target="_blank">announce</a> there are 3 confirmed cases, 10 more probable, 96 suspected, and 200 people in isolation nationwide. -
'Bloody Mexican flu'
Wellingtonian <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/2370667/Kiwi-tells-of-battle-to-breathe" target="_blank">Derek von Sturmer</a> tells of his battle with swine flu in Mexico City. -
Government precautions
The Government makes swine flu a 'notifiable disease', boosting its powers to deal with a potential pandemic.
As Japanese tourists cancel trips to New Zealand, Prime Minister <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/2373574/Key-moves-into-damage-control" target="_blank">John Key assures</a> foreign minister Hirofumi Nakasone that New Zealand is safe. -
Threat level raised
The World Health Organisation escalates the <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2373714/Swine-flu-pandemic-alert-rises" target="_blank">pandemic threat level</a> to phase 5. -
Suspected case numbers climb
<a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2373714/New-Zealand-begins-swine-flu-tests" target="_blank">Latest NZ figures</a>: 3 confirmed cases, 104 suspected, and 101 cases in isolation (isolation cases include family groups, not just individuals). -
Tamiflu available over the counter
Tamiflu is now available for purchase over the counter at pharmacy, not just via prescription. But prospective buyers must be presenting symptoms of illness. -
New drug ordered
Government orders 125,000 doses of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/2376721/Swine-flu-New-drug-ordered" target="_blank">flu-fighting drug Relenza</a> as demand for Tamiflu rises.
Latest NZ figures: 4 confirmed cases, 116 suspected, 388 people in isolation.
