Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Emergency WHO meeting over swine flu
Updated at 5:53am on 11 June 2009
The World Health Organisation has called an emergency meeting of experts to discuss the spread of swine flu.
The organisation says the gathering will consult on the state of the outbreak.
The WHO said on Wednesday that it was on the verge of declaring the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years but wanted to ensure countries are well prepared to prevent any panic.
At least 1200 people have been infected in Australia, and the WHO says the situation there is being monitored closely.
There have been 23 confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand.
Doctors here say they need ready access to protective masks, gloves and gowns to enable them to treat patients who may arrive at their practices with swine flu.
More people are expected to need treatment in the community if swine flu spreads as it has in other countries.
Medical Association chairman Dr Peter Foley says some district health boards have released funds to ensure general practices remain fully stocked.
But he says that is not happening everywhere and it is up to DHBs to work with their primary care teams to ensure they have access to supplies.
Dr Foley says the challenges ahead include protecting health workers from the virus and educating the public about self protection.
Figures outdated
Treasury says two-year-old figures estimating the possible economic impact of a flu pandemic are probably out of date but it is not revisiting the issue.
The economic impact of a flu pandemic was last studied by Treasury in 2007, when it estimated the Gross Domestic Product could drop by up to 10% in the year of a severe outbreak.
It found a more minor pandemic would cause a reduction of 1.
However acting assistant secretary of the economic performance group at Treasury Colin Hall says those figures are probably out of date given the economic climate.
He says the group is keeping a watching brief on how swine flu plays out.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/06/11/1245b5bc3ad2
Updated at 5:53am on 11 June 2009
The World Health Organisation has called an emergency meeting of experts to discuss the spread of swine flu.
The organisation says the gathering will consult on the state of the outbreak.
The WHO said on Wednesday that it was on the verge of declaring the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years but wanted to ensure countries are well prepared to prevent any panic.
At least 1200 people have been infected in Australia, and the WHO says the situation there is being monitored closely.
There have been 23 confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand.
Doctors here say they need ready access to protective masks, gloves and gowns to enable them to treat patients who may arrive at their practices with swine flu.
More people are expected to need treatment in the community if swine flu spreads as it has in other countries.
Medical Association chairman Dr Peter Foley says some district health boards have released funds to ensure general practices remain fully stocked.
But he says that is not happening everywhere and it is up to DHBs to work with their primary care teams to ensure they have access to supplies.
Dr Foley says the challenges ahead include protecting health workers from the virus and educating the public about self protection.
Figures outdated
Treasury says two-year-old figures estimating the possible economic impact of a flu pandemic are probably out of date but it is not revisiting the issue.
The economic impact of a flu pandemic was last studied by Treasury in 2007, when it estimated the Gross Domestic Product could drop by up to 10% in the year of a severe outbreak.
It found a more minor pandemic would cause a reduction of 1.
However acting assistant secretary of the economic performance group at Treasury Colin Hall says those figures are probably out of date given the economic climate.
He says the group is keeping a watching brief on how swine flu plays out.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/06/11/1245b5bc3ad2