The Chosun Bimbo

New Zealanders living overseas should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being should they be at risk from avian influenza-related pandemic. The information below is offered to help New Zealanders make adequate preparations for this risk.

If avian influenza evolves into a human pandemic, it is possible that some countries may close their borders. This is an option that may be considered in New Zealand. Decisions to close borders may be taken very quickly following declaration of a pandemic. Therefore, you need to consider in advance how you can care for yourself, wherever you are.

New Zealand embassies and high commissions overseas will not be able to:

• provide any anti viral drugs such as Tamiflu to New Zealand citizens overseas
• help New Zealand citizens overseas return to New Zealand if borders are closed.
  

We will try to provide the most up to date and accurate information possible so you can make sensible decisions about travel, but we cannot guarantee that you would receive advance warning of a border closure quickly enough to enable you to reach New Zealand beforehand.

You may not be able to return to New Zealand, even at short notice, if the avian influenza risk rises suddenly and seriously.

Being prepared

You should:

• ensure your travel documents are up to date and in a safe place
• regularly monitor the New Zealand Ministry of Health website [external link]
• record your details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade [external link]
• consider how you could look after yourself and your family if border and quarantine restrictions were put in place that restricted your options for leaving
• think about the items you might need to store (e.g. cash, food, water, batteries, medication.) Use the measures outlined in Getting Ready for a Pandemic [external link] as a starting point and adapt these to suit the situation in the country where you live.

Staying safe

The risk of contracting avian influenza is believed to be very low, provided you:

• avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds
• avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with animal faeces or fluids
• avoid eating or handling undercooked or raw poultry, egg or duck dishes
• avoid dishes made with fresh duck blood; and
• wash your hands regularly.

Normal cooking destroys the avian influenza virus. No cases of avian influenza have been linked to the consumption of properly cooked poultry and egg products.

Anti-viral Medication

Tamiflu and other anti-viral medication can shorten the course of infection, if given early. Several anti-virals have specific activity against the influenza virus. Tamiflu [external link] is one of two anti-viral medicines that may be effective against the strains of avian influenza, the other medicine is Relenza [external link], which is not marketed in New Zealand. You should consult your doctor on whether this is appropriate for you.

Tamiflu can prevent infection with influenza but would need to be taken daily throughout the period of risk. It can also be effective after infection if taken within 48 hours of exposure and may reduce the severity of the illness. Very small children should not take the drug, and Tamiflu does have some side effects. Further information is available on the Ministry of Health website [external link]. It is unclear whether Tamiflu will be effective against the particular strain of avian flu that might become freely transmitted from human to human.

Tamiflu stocks are currently limited in many countries, including New Zealand. The New Zealand Ministry of Health will not have sufficient stocks of Tamiflu to distribute to New Zealanders overseas. If you are living in or near an avian influenza-affected country for an extended period, you might wish to consult your doctor on whether they would have access to anti-virals (such as Tamiflu) for treatment.

Handy to know, even if you're not a kiwi.