Pandemic preparations are under way in Northland, in case the 'bird flu' virus crosses with a human influenza virus and rapidly spreads.
- MLive.com: Northeast Advance::
Work is under way at Camp Roger on a new tree house. but recent predictions of a nationwide and possibly worldwide flu pandemic have officials preparing
http://www.mlive.com/northeastadvance/index.ssf/2007/12/02-week/HOME |
The Ministry of Health - which is buying 33,000 body bags - is leading emergency plans New Zealand-wide.
In Northland, civil defence, local councils, funeral directors, police, St John and the Northland District Health Board are involved. It is important to do the planning even though bird flu may not be a threat, says Ruth McKenzie, clinical risk manager and emergency planner at the Northland District Health Board.
A pandemic is overdue internationally, she says. The last pandemic in New Zealand was in 1968 to 1969 and was caused by an avian flu mutating with a human flu.
If a pandemic does occur in New Zealand, about 25 percent of the population could be sick and there could be border controls to stop the disease spreading, says Ms McKenzie.
National Lifelines Forum 9 & 10 November 2005, Palmerston North ::
File Format: Microsoft Word - View as HTMLAgreed a representative for lifeline utilities on the Northland CEG. Held a meeting for members to share pandemic planning ideas.
http://www.aelg.org.nz/docs/Lifelines Projects - Status Report Nov 05.docHOME |
To help with the hospital workload, the health board is creating a database of people who have medical training, such as former doctors and nurses, she says.
The Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand is also preparing for a year's worth of deaths in just four to six weeks, says Northland representative Colleen Morris.
Up to 800 could die in Northland during a pandemic, she says, and they will be buried in body bags, not caskets, in a pandemic area set aside in Maunu Cemetery.
No gatherings, funerals or tangi will be allowed, to prevent spread of the disease.
As Northland's supply routes could be effected, funeral directors are stocking up now on equipment like gloves and gowns.
Ms Morris says this equipment will be essential when they come in contact with the deceased's family, who will be a greater risk than the body itself.
Ms McKenzie says people can prepare for a pandemic in their own homes by stocking up on essential supplies and food, in case they need to stay home for a while.
Washing hands and covering coughs is also important to stop the spread of germs, says Ms Morris.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/northland/0,2106,3669621a6015,00.html
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