ACC declines gastro payouts

The lingering health effects of Havelock North’s gastro outbreak have prompted consideration of a fund to provide financial assistance to its victims.

The proposal comes as the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) confirms it had received requests for cover but declined them.

A corporation spokeswoman said ACC would not divulge the number of claims for privacy reasons but she confirmed it was less than three.

They were declined ‘‘because the inhalation or ingestion of a virus or bacteria is not considered an accident (unless it is a result of a criminal act by another person). A personal injury must have occurred from an accident for a claim to be covered’’.

Hastings District Council will today discuss a proposal by Mayor Lawrence Yule to consider options for a financial assistance scheme, possibly with ACC, the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and the Ministry of Social Development.

A paper going before the council said Yule and other district representatives ‘‘have been encountering in the community hitherto healthy people affected by the gastro outbreak who are now suffering significant ongoing health impacts’’.

The August outbreak affected more than 5000 people. Schools and businesses were closed and many people were sick for days or weeks.

The council has made financial support available to businesses but has not done the same for individuals. Its business recovery package of $160,000 saw contributions made to 37 firms. The council also remitted water rates.