A former Bridgnorth resident who now lives in New Zealand said the country had been “bemused” by reports of the swine fever outbreak – until cases were confirmed.

“They interrupted the evening television with a newsflash when the first three cases became official,” said Sam Rossiter-Stead, who emigrated with his family to Wellington three years ago.

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Latest reports now confirm 14 cases in New Zealand.

The first three were announced on Tuesday evening (New Zealand time).

The disease was found in students who had returned to New Zealand on Saturday from a college trip to Mexico.

“I would say that until now it’s been something that’s been talked about, but people have not been preoccupied with it,” said Mr Rossiter-Stead.

“Now that the cases have been confirmed I would imagine that will change.”

There are fears for the country’s tourism industry if the outbreak spreads.

Mr Rossiter-Stead, who works for the Wellington Hurricanes rugby team, said the shock for most New Zealanders was the fact the infected students came home from Mexico on the main flight between the US and Auckland.

He said: “That’s alarmed a lot of people because that’s the flight that thousands of New Zealanders travel on every year when returning from travelling in American and Europe.

“That’s what’s really hit home with people; everyone knows someone who has travelled on that flight at some stage.”

Mr Rossiter-Stead said there had been no specific measures imposed on New Zealand travellers, but he expected that to change in the next few days.