Estimates Of Economic Costs Of A Flu Pandemic

* The World Bank estimated in 2008 that a flu pandemic could cost $3 trillion (£2 trillion) and result in a nearly 5pc drop in world gross domestic product. The World Bank has estimated that more than 70m people could die worldwide in a severe pandemic.

* Australian independent think-tank Lowy Institute for International Policy estimated in 2006 that in the worst-case scenario, a flu pandemic could wipe $4.4 trillion off global economic output.

* Two reports in the United States in 2005 estimated that a flu pandemic could cause a serious recession of the US economy, with immediate costs of $500bn-$675bn.

* SARS in 2003 disrupted travel, trade and the workplace and cost the Asia Pacific region $40bn. It lasted for six months, killing 775 of the 8,000 people it infected in 25 countries.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5228878/Estimates-of-economic-costs-of-a-flu-pandemic.html

Comments:

Hmm... with most global markets having had their huge rallies recently, would this be the catalyst for the next leg down that the bears are waiting for?