A pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that spreads through human populations across a large region, for example multiple continents or even worldwide.
Pandemics by their nature are unpredictable. While we know there will be another pandemic, we don’t know when. We also won’t know how severe it will be, or who will be most affected, until it happens.
The Ministry of Health is working with the health sector and other government agencies to ensure New Zealand is as prepared as possible for a potential pandemic.
Information on pandemic planning and management is in the Your health section of this website: