NZ issues pandemic influenza guidelines
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
The New Zealand ministry of health has issued guidelines for public health interventions in the case of pandemic influenza. The Guidelines for Public Health Services on Cluster Control for Pandemic Influenza outline actions for public health units for cluster control should a pandemic occur. The guidelines outline the main aims as to control or eliminate the disease; slow transmission of the disease; and obtain epidemiological information to characterise the spread of the infection to inform pandemic management response. The report advises cluster control should begin as soon as a suspected case is identified, with a confirmed cluster to be treated as a major health emergency. Border management operations are also recommended, and national reserve medication will be provided free of charge to people meeting criteria for provision.