Bay of Plenty tourism operators remain confident the current cruise ship season will not be hampered by fears of Ebola arriving on New Zealand shores.

Cruise lines are currently implementing strict new screening tests on passengers boarding ships around the world because of concerns surrounding the disease.

Rhys Arrowsmith says there has been no Ebola alerts put in place as the crusie ship season gets underway.

The virus outbreak, which began 10 months ago in the West African nations of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, has a death toll of more than 4500 according to World Health Organisation estimates.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith says there has been no alerts put in place by the government or health authorities, but if there were Tourism BOP would follow their lead.

With Tauranga the secondary port of call into New Zealand for cruise ships and customs procedures behind Auckland, it isn't necessary at this stage for further screening on top of at the point of departure, port of entry in Auckland and also by the cruise line itself, says Rhys.

So far there has been no discussion with cruise lines on the outbreak between Tourism BOP and cruise lines.

'The cruise lines are pro-active at managing any health threats to their passengers particularly for contagious illnesses,” he says.

'There are no cases in the Southern Hemisphere as far as we are aware and so discussions have not been required.”

Earlier this month there was an Ebola scare aboard an American cruise ship.

The Carnival Magic had to cut its voyage short after Belize officials refused entry for a Dallas health care worker who handled a lab specimen from Liberian man Thomas Eric Duncan, who died from Ebola.

She quarantined herself in her cabin and was later cleared.

With just two tourist boats having docked in Tauranga so far this season, Rhys remains optimistic the worldwide health fears will not affect New Zealand's cruise ship sector.

The 2014/15 season is estimated to bring about 240,000 passengers and crew, and between $45-$50 million dollars into the region.

'My personal view is that if the Ebola threat remains contained to isolated people and areas, there will be no significant effect on the travel industry,” he added.

'At this point, I do not believe there will be any effect on the cruise industry locally, this season.”

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says government agencies remain prepared to deal with any potential Ebola cases in NZ.

While the risk to New Zealand remains low, the government is taking every precaution to deal with the threat.

'I am receiving daily updates on the situation both here in New Zealand and overseas,” says Jonathan, 'and officials are constantly updating the comprehensive measures we have in place as part of the international response to the threat of Ebola.

'More than 20 agencies will be meeting today to discuss emerging infectious disease threats, including Ebola readiness activities. This is an excellent opportunity to ensure agencies are clear on the roles they would play in responding to a health emergency.”

The Inter-Agency Pandemic Group will be meeting in Wellington. The group includes a range of agencies including Police, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Civil Defence Emergency Management, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry for Primary Industries.

73 people have been screened since additional border screening was introduced on August 10 this year, with none requiring laboratory testing.