( An Avian flu pandemic could kill 3 mill...)ADB Report Warns of Bird-Flu Catastrophe,Health

An Avian flu pandemic could kill 3 million people in Asia, economically setting the continent back by almost $300 billion, causing a recession in the world, the Asian Development Bank has warned. //

The bank examined in a report the likely effects on the region if bird flu produces a human pandemic that hacks consumer demand, with millions of workers being taken ill. 'Growth in Asia would virtually stop,' it said. The economic impact would likely force the world into a recession.

China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand would likely be hit hardest by the pandemic, the bank predicted.

In its grimmest scenario, where the impact of a pandemic lasts a year, Asia could lose $282.7 billion — or 6.5 percent of gross domestic product — in consumption, trade and investment, the bank said in its report. Workers' incapacity and death could cost another $14.2 billion.

The scenario assumes about 20 percent of Asia's population would fall ill, and 0.5 percent of them would die.

If the psychological impact of an outbreak lasted 6 months, the cost to Asia in lost consumption, trade and investment would be about $99 billion, the report said in a less pessimistic scenario.

In a separate report, the bank said bird flu was already harming several East Asian economies. Costs so far have been limited — around 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent of gross domestic product in Vietnam — but could rise significantly, the bank said.

Milan Brahmbhatt, author of the report, said a human pandemic caused by bird flu could cost the world economy as much as $800 billion.

The reports came as governments stepped up cooperation to prepare a global response to the risk that the bird flu virus that has swept through Asia and entered Europe could mutate into a form transmissible between people and produce a pandemic that could kill millions.

Vietnamese scientists said they were ready
'"/>




Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Russia Reports First SARS Case
2. Report on the Safety and Effectiveness of Melatonin supplements
3. Sepsis Death Reported With Mifepristone – FDA Issues Warnin
4. Experts Insist That Neonatal Herpes Be Reported Regularly
5. Uganda Reports Failure To Contain Sleeping Sickness
6. Encephalitis Deaths in Maybe higher than Reported
7. Only 30 Polio Cases Reported In India
8. Reports of Hantavirus infection in India raise concerns
9. Controversy Surrounding The HIV Positive Reports Of One-Year Girl In Kerala
10. Asthma Patients Under The Care Of An Allergist Report Less Severe Symptoms
11. Imported Plants Could Deadly Harbor Mosquitoes, Says Report