11 Feb 2016

NZ to give $500k to help fight Zika

12:35 pm on 11 February 2016

The government has pledged up to $500,000 dollars to help the Pacific fight the spread of the Zika virus.

zika mosquito

Photo: 123RF

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Zika had been confirmed in a number of Pacific nations, and New Zealand was committed to trying to limit its spread.

Mr McCully said $250,000 would be contributed to the World Health Organisation's Pacific Zika Action Plan and the same amount would be available for Pacific countries to respond rapidly to the virus if required.

Last week the Australian government pledged up to $500,000 in aid to Tonga, where a Zika epidemic has been declared.