NZ's Ministry of Health has issued a warning about an Australian male sex worker who visited New Zealand over the Christmas break and has since been prosecuted in Canberra for knowingly infecting people with HIV. Hector Scott (Photo: TVNZ) 41-year-old Hector Scott flew into and out of Auckland between 23 and 30 December 2007, reports TVNZ. The NZ Ministry of Health understands Scott had both male and female clients in Australia and offers sex services under the aliases of 'Josh' and 'Adam'. Health officials in Canberra believe he may have come into contact with up to 250 people since he was diagnosed in 1999. A media conference yesterday in Canberra warned individuals both there and in New Zealand who may have had unsafe sex with a sex worker to seek advice from sexual health services. Anyone in New Zealand who believes they may have had unsafe sex with Scott should make contact with their local Sexual Health Clinic, the Ministry of Health advises. The Ministry has sought information from Australian authorities about any further details about his activities here. "We do not know if he had sex with anyone in New Zealand or whether he may have had sex in Australia with New Zealanders who have travelled there. Nor do we know if he practiced unsafe sex in these situations, but given the fact he is being prosecuted in Australia it is wise to pass on the warning here," says Dr Alison Roberts, Senior Advisor for Public Health Medicine. It is illegal in New Zealand to wilfully infect anyone with a disease such as HIV. It is a defence to take precautions or prevent the risk of spread of infection - for example through the use of a condom. Scott appears in court in Canberra on 7 February when further details about his activities in New Zealand may emerge as part of the court case.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 31st January 2008 - 8:18am