Special Report: Worldwide fight against bird flu

    WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhuanet) -- The New Zealand government began a campaign to raise public awareness on bird flu Wednesday.

    "Taking simple steps to prepare for a possible bird flu pandemic" is the focus of the 1 million NZ dollars (700,000 U.S. dollars) nation-wide promotion.

    Health Minister Pete Hodgson said information from the health sector on pandemic preparedness had already been seen by two-thirds of New Zealanders, but only one-third had actually taken steps to prepare.

    "We now need to convince New Zealanders to make sure they're as ready as they can be for a possible flu pandemic."

    The series of television advertisements will screen on TV1, TV2 nd TV3, in conjunction with radio advertisements being aired on stations across the county.

    Advertising on Maori and Pacific radio and television will begin early next week and will coincide with a mail-out to 1.4 million households.

    According to World Health organization figures, 176 people have been infected with bird flu around the world since 2003, of whom 97 have died.

    Hodgson said there was no certainty the spread of bird flu around the world would lead to a human flu pandemic.

    "But we do know we'll be much better prepared if we all start building up supplies and start practicing good hygiene today," said Hodgson.

    The campaign will run through March and April. Enditem