Christchurch health authorities are worried the onset of the flu season could confuse the battle against a deadly pneumonia if it hits here.

They fear if Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) reaches here soon, the impending flu season could confuse diagnosis and put pressure on health resources.

Canterbury medical officer of health Mel Brieseman said it was reasonably likely the disease would spread here at some stage.

Latest World Health Organisation figures show SARS has killed 78 people, and infected more than 2223 worldwide.

Dr Brieseman warned if the arrival of the virus coincides with the influenza season it could confuse the SARS issue “tremendously”.

There was now more reason than ever to become vaccinated against influenza, he said.

‘‘When making a diagnosis of SARS one of the first things you have to rule out is influenza, and if people have been vaccinated this would help immensely in making a diagnosis.’’

Financial experts are warning productivity here would also suffer if the arrival of SARS coincided with the annual flu epidemic.

Bank of New Zealand head of market economics Stephen Toplis said the coincidence would result in much higher absenteeism than normal, and put strain on the health sector.

‘‘The staunch Kiwi who wouldn’t think of gaining medical attention for the flu feels much more reluctant to let things ride,’’ he said.

Dr Brieseman urged awareness, rather than panic about the virus.

‘‘It is reasonably likely it will come here, but that does not give cause for panic, in that we have got measures in place should it come, and we will treat and isolate patients should it occur,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, many major Canterbury businesses are urging their staff to be aware of the SARS threat.

A Christchurch employer has stipulated that six workers who attended last weekend’s Hong Kong sevens rugby tournament should not return to work for six days.

Redpaths managing director Don Hawker said the decision was made out of consideration for their staff and customers of their electrical, lighting and welding supply business.

‘‘They (staff members) wore masks and did everything right, but what worried us is the unknown; it was safest to isolate them for a few days. We are a busy company, with 50-odd staff; it could potentially affect a lot of them,’’ he said.

Canterbury Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend said the SARS virus was already affecting business locally with a number of companies not bringing their Asian reps here, and travel becoming more difficult.

Canterbury Manufacturers Association chief executive John Walley said if SARS spreads to a large number of people, it will have an impact on the global economy, and New Zealand and Canterbury will not be isolated from that.

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