The World Health Organisation has called an emergency meeting of experts to discuss the spread of swine flu.
The organisation says the gathering will consider the state of the outbreak.
It 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 1,200 people have been infected in Australia, and the World Health Organisation says the situation there is being monitored closely.
There have been 27 confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand.
Doctors in New Zealand 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 if swine flu spreads as it has in other countries.
Medical Association chairman Peter Foley says some district health boards have released funds to ensure general practices remain fully stocked.
But Dr Foley says that is not happening everywhere and it is up to district health boards to work with their primary care teams to ensure they have access to supplies.
He 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Figures outdated
Treasury says two-year-old figures estimating the possible economic impact of a flu pandemic are probably out of date but it is not re-examining the matter.
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 between 1% and 2%.
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acting assistant secretary of the economic performance group at Treasury, Colin Hall, says those figures are probably out of date given the economic climate.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 watching how the situation develops.
