NZ Prepared to Vaccinate Against Bird Flu
Posted on: Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 09:00 CDT
NZ prepared to vaccinate against bird flu
WELLINGTON, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will vaccinate the entire population against avian flu if a pandemic occurs, and if the country has adequate stocks, according to Wednesday's report of local media NZPA.
New Zealand does not have the same ability to manufacture a vaccine and would have to get it from Australia.
Australia is working with pharmaceutical company CSL Ltd to develop a vaccine against the H5N1 virus that has killed more than 60 people in Southeast Asia.
New Zealand Health Ministry said if the CSL drug was effective it was also interested in obtaining it.
"We are looking at opportunities to access vaccines as quickly as possible once a pandemic is declared," director of public health Mark Jacobs said Wednesday.
The New Zealand Government has followed the advice of the World Health organization and stockpiled the anti-flu drug Tamiflu.
It said by the end of this year it would have enough to vaccinate 21 percent of New Zealanders.
Waikato medical officer of health Anita Bell said preparations had been under way for a long time and a major public information campaign was about to begin.
Meanwhile, authorities are keeping a close eye on muttonbirds and other migratory birds arriving in New Zealand for signs of avian flu.
The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry (MAF) had started studying migratory birds and taking samples from birds arriving in New Zealand.
There has been a rush to buy surgical face masks. Experts say they reduce the risk of infection.
Currently demand has soared for medication, respirator masks and information aimed at helping New Zealanders cope with a possible avian flu pandemic.
Pharmacy Direct, New Zealand's leading on-line pharmacy, says that it has been inundated with emails and telephone calls in recent days, with some staff fully occupied just coping with the demand surge.
Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS
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