Official emails reveal the Taranaki District Health Board was worried a humanitarian crisis could unfold on Spanish-flagged deep-sea fishing vessels which had contact with the region's port.
Infected mariners joined the ship at Port Taranaki on July 5 after travelling directly from Auckland Airport by van, which was permitted.
Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has been looking through more the 200 emails released under the Official Information Act.
