9 Nov 2006

Papua New Guinea not prepared for bird flu outbreak - health minister

6:53 pm on 9 November 2006

The Papua New Guinea health minister says his country is not prepared for a bird flu outbreak.

Sir Peter Barter says there is not enough public awareness, and response preparedness for the threat at all levels of government is insufficient.

The Post Courier newspaper reports Sir Peter saying PNG has not taken the necessary steps to prepare itself adequately.

Sir Peter is urging the community to be aware that the government's preparedness is limited and there are not enough funds to launch an awareness campaign.

He also stresses there have been limited efforts to step up surveillance along the PNG-Indonesian border.