PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill Calls for Action to Deal with Potential of Zika Virus Entering the Country

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill has directed that measures are developed by relevant authorities in Papua New Guinea, including the Health Department and Immigration, to counter the potential for the Zika virus to enter the country, and to manage any suspected cases.

PM O’Neill said the rapid spread of the virus through the Americas, and now reported cases in New Zealand and Pacific islands, is a cause for concern and appropriate preparedness is essential to reduce the potential for further spread.

“We must take measures at our borders to identify people who could potentially arrive with the Zika virus in their system,” the Prime Minister said.

“Our officials will provide recommendations on screening measures that can be implemented at ports of entry, as well as reporting mechanisms and systems for managing suspected cases.

“There is a great deal that remains unknown about the Zika virus, but the reports and suspected links to birth defects and neurological problems mean that this threat must be taken very seriously.

“I am calling on all people who have recently traveled to affected countries to be very mindful of their health, and to seek immediate medical assistance if they have any symptoms that could be Zika virus.

“It is also timely that we all look around our homes and our workplaces to remove any water where mosquitos could breed.

“This is something we should be doing in any case to deal with ongoing mosquito diseases and viruses such as dengue and malaria.”

The Prime Minister said following the last declaration of emergency by the World Health Organization, that was following the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, a number of existing measures and procedures that can be re-activated.

“We have systems and measures that were established to deal the previous Ebola threat, and these procedures can be re-introduced if this is deemed as necessary.

“It is a fact of life that in an integrated world there is an elevated threat from the rapid spread of pandemic diseases or viruses.

“As a global community we work together through bodies such as the World Health Organization to keep the people of our countries safe.”

The Prime Minister has called for regular updates from national authorities and said he will await the outcome of the meeting of international experts being convened by the World Health Organization later today.