Preparation FAQ's
What should people do now to prepare for an influenza pandemic?
Have a plan and talk to friends and family about their plans. Write a list of the things you need to remember.
Talk to your family and friends about hygiene – hand washing and drying, and safe coughing and sneezing.
Make sure you have an emergency survival kit. Plan for having about a week's worth of essential supplies such as non-perishable food, as well as plenty of fluids. For further information see the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management website on What to Do in a disaster.
Include paracetamol (for fever) in your home emergency survival kit.
Have a plan for what you and your family would do if you had to stay at home during a pandemic.
What is New Zealand doing to prepare for an influenza pandemic?
New Zealand has been planning for this for some years. The Ministry of Health has a national pandemic plan which is continually being updated in line with WHO recommendations. District Health Boards have local plans too.
All other Government agencies are also planning for a pandemic. An intersectoral group is considering non-health issues that are directly affected by a pandemic, such as school closures, border management and the maintenance of critical infrastructure, including supply of food and water and law and order.
The New Zealand Government, following the advice of the WHO, is stockpiling anti-viral medicine (Tamiflu) suitable for use against influenza viruses. By the end of 2005 there will be enough anti-viral medicine to treat about 21 percent of the population.
The Ministry of Health has set up a Pandemic Influenza Technical Advisory Group (PITAG), which advises the Ministry on the international situation and provides recommendations on the appropriate nature of New Zealand's responses.
There is also a Pandemic Influenza Reference Committee (PIRC), with members from across the health sector.
What work is being done with primary care practitioners such as GPs and nurses on avian flu and preparing for a pandemic?
Primary health care is a fundamental component of pandemic planning at a District Health Board (DHB) level, and DHBs are working in their communities to make sure this is achieved through their emergency plans. Many DHBs employ general practitioners to liaise with other GPs on primary care issues.
Nationally the Ministry of Health is working on pandemic planning with primary care leaders, such as the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and the College of Practice Nurses.
National GP organisations have met and identified how they are will continue to contribute to the ongoing pandemic planning processes, and the College of GPs has been nominated as the lead agency for this.
There are GPs and nurses on various pandemic influenza advisory groups to the Ministry.
Information packs advising on infection control measures to minimise the spread of flu among health workers and the public are being prepared for distribution to primary care practitioners.