General practitioners have been warned by the Ministry of Health about the risk of the Ebola virus coming to New Zealand.
It has also advised District Health Boards to review plans for dealing with infectious diseases like Ebola, which has killed more than 3,400 people in West Africa this year.
While the Ministry said the chances of Ebola reaching New Zealand remained low, being prepared was important, Medical Association Chairman Mark Peterson said.
He said GPs here were well prepared, but the warning was timely.
"It's just a reminder to both DHBs and to general practice how to deal with patients who present with acute fever, who have travelled overseas."
He said anyone presenting with Ebola symptoms should ring their doctor rather than visiting.