Implications for business

A pandemic flu is predicted to have particularly severe consequences for industries associated with transport, travel, tourism and retail. Across East Asia the overall economic fallout could be as high as $282bn (£158bn), according to analysis by the Asian Development Bank, should the outbreak begin in the region and assuming 20% of the region's population falls ill.

Some firms have started supplying staff visiting affected areas with anti-viral drugs that are effective against the H5N1 avian flu strain causing concern at the moment. Many organisations with large numbers of employees working abroad are keen to source Roche's Tamiflu drug, but it's difficult to do so with the current worldwide shortage of the drug, and with any national stockpiles of anti-virals currently earmarked for health workers and other people working in essential occupations.

Essential occupations
The key alternative for every organisation both at home and abroad is detailed contingency planning, which could cover anything from staff training to plans for maintaining overseas activity while reducing overseas travel. If you are supporting an overseas operation, small or large, find out more about the specialist area of planning for remote site medical support on our planning page.