The New Zealand Herald has reported that The World Health Organization has told New Zealand and other western Pacific countries to prepare for a large-scale infectious disease pandemic.

Many western Pacific nations lack the capacity for rapid response and containment which would lessen the blow of a serious health threat, such as an influenza pandemic, WHO said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, the New Zealand Doctor website has reported that the national pandemic plan is to be tested in a multi-agency exercise which will be conducted in May 2007.

The recently updated national pandemic plan, and questions and answers relating to pandemic influenza, are available on the Ministry of Health website at www.moh.govt.nz/pandemicinfluenza

•Date: 26th Sept 2006• Region: New Zealand •Type: Article •Topic: Pandemic planning
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