A traveller who tested positive for COVID-19 in South Korea a day after leaving New Zealand was probably infected during transit, the Ministry of Health understands.
However it says other causes, including infection in New Zealand, "can't be ruled out at this stage".
South Korean media reported on Saturday (NZ time) that it had 41 new cases - 28 local and 13 arriving from overseas, including one from New Zealand.
The individual left the country on July 21, six days ago. They arrived in Korea on July 22 after a stop-off in Singapore, testing positive for coronavirus on arrival.
The Ministry of Health has been told by its South Korean counterparts that the infection likely occurred when the person was in Singapore.
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"South Korean authorities have informed us that based on their initial investigations, they suspect the traveller was infected during the transit in Singapore airport," it said in a statement to media.
"The Ministry is in close contact with South Korea and is expecting further information from the authorities later [on Monday] New Zealand time.
"The Ministry is actively looking at whether any steps need to be taken here, based on the information available."
New Zealand hasn't had a case of transmission that couldn't be sourced in almost three months, with Kiwis now enjoying more freedoms than most other countries.
South Korea has a range of different isolation and quarantine requirements, depending on where travellers have been before entering the country. Most are required to undergo 14 days' quarantine, similar to those entering New Zealand.
