NZMA Offers Support to MOH in potential outbreak

MEDIA RELEASE

NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (NZMA)

FROM: Dr Peter Foley, NZMA Chair

DATE: Monday, 27 April 2009

SUBJECT: NZMA Offers Support to MOH in potential influenza outbreak

The NZMA has offered its support to the Ministry of Health in dealing with the potential outbreak of swine influenza (H1N1) outbreak.
“We have contacted the Ministry of Health to offer any assistance we can. There is a national plan in place and each DHB has a previously prepared pandemic plan also,” says NZMA Chair Dr Peter Foley.

“The risk has been promptly identified which is good news, and we understand there is no need for any public panic. We are happy to work with the Ministry, and the NZMA will ensure the best is done for the public through these existing pandemic plans, and that general practice teams are assisted to provide assessment and treatment of patients as safely and promptly as possible.”

“We will also push for access to Tamiflu and the development of any vaccine if this is required.”

Dr Foley concurred with the Ministry of Health’s advice that members of the public who have travelled to Mexico or North America in the last fortnight should should seek medical advice if they are displaying flu-like symptoms. Phoning their surgery is the best method of initial contact.

ENDS

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