New Zealand public health researchers say donor countries need to ensure that Pacific countries are ready for any influenza pandemic.
Dr Nick Wilson and several colleagues have written in the international journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases, that a future pandemic is likely if not inevitable.
He says they have shown through research that an eight week pandemic could cause up to 1500 deaths, put thousands in hospital and result in around half a million medical consultations in the island region.
Dr Wilson says the present medical facilities in Pacific countries won't cope, and donor nations, such as New Zealand, need to help.
"New Zealand has a long relationship with helping development in the Pacific. It also is rather advanced in its own pandemic planning. It has got pandemic plans, it has tested out those plans. It has started stockpiles of anti-virals - so some of that experience can be shared with the Pacific."
Dr Wilson says in addition development money should be used to boost the health sector to improve capacity in the Pacific.
