Wanted: Flu presenter to face public

The search is on for a trusted public face the Government can use to front information programmes preparing the public for the next big flu pandemic.

The Ministry of Health's Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Jacobs, said yesterday the ministry needed an "authority figure presenter" to do the job.

Asked whether he had anyone in mind, Dr Jacobs told a press conference that the ministry had not yet gone into details, "but we're happy to take suggestions".

The Minister of Health, Pete Hodgson, told journalists the Government was seriously interested in hearing proposals for such an authority figure.

Suggestions from journalists after the conference ranged from Paul Holmes to Sir Paul Reeves.

The World Health Organisation is concerned that a flu virus such as the bird flu spreading through the northern hemisphere may mutate to a virulent, highly infective human flu triggering a global pandemic.

And the ministry said yesterday that when the situation moves to "code yellow"- the first case of human-to-human infection in New Zealand - it wants a "multimedia campaign fronted by a trusted authority figure".

The presenter would front messages for the public, telling them how to care for themselves and how to nurse flu patients, how to stay safe and limit the spread of the virus.

Messages would also be broadcast to a range of audiences to explain possible closures of public venues, constraints on mass gatherings, where sick people can seek home-help, and assistance with shopping.

The ministry is also preparing material for Maori, Asian and Pacific audiences, and for specialist sectors such as agriculture, education, diplomats, old people, those who are disabled, and the travel and tourism sectors.

- NZPA