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Banks Preparing for Bird Flu Epidemic

Vietnam Records Another Death, Canada Warns Duck Hunters

November 9, 2005

Bird Flu • Bird Flu Not the Only Animal Disease Threat • Bird Flu Vaccine Trials 'Encouraging' • FDA Frets about Flu Drugs' Side Effects • World Not Ready For Bird Flu • Researchers: Bird Flu Pandemic Inevitable • Bird Flu Scare in Virginia • FDA Issues Flu Vaccine Guidelines • FDA Approves First Bird Flu Vaccine • More Flu Bugs Show Resistance To Anti-Virals • Seasonal Flu Shot Might Offer Some Bird Flu Protection • Experts Concerned about Tamiflu Overuse • Study Finds Much Bird Flu Planning is Misplaced • U.S. Orders More Bird Flu Vaccine • Scientists Identify Genetic Changes That Could Lead to Bird Flu Pandemic • Drug Interaction Can Render Tamiflu Ineffective • New Bird Flu Variant Renews Pandemic Concerns • Researchers Find New Weapon Against Flu Virus • Researchers Test Spreadability of Bird Flu Viruses to Humans • GlaxoSmithKline Claims Bird Flu Breaththrough • Global Corporations Struggle to Plan For Pandemic • Flu Pandemic Is "Inevitable," EU Experts Warn • Bird Flu Virus May Have Mutated In Indonesian Cases • Indonesian Nurse May Have Bird Flu • Study Warns of "Chaos" and "Panic" If Bird Flu Strikes • Investigators Find No Evidence Bird Flu Virus Has Mutated • Scientists Fear Bird Flu Virus May Have Mutated • Airlines Queasy About Quarantining Bird Flu Victims • More ...

Major banks are preparing for a bird flu epidemic, preparing contingency plans aimed at protecting their staffs and keeping the wheels of commerce turning if the virus mutates and sets off a worldwide pandemic.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has reported its 42nd avian flu death, the Chinese government has taken over all Tamiflu supplies and Canada is warning duck hunters to be careful.

Citigroup, the world's largest bank, has established an avian flu task force, Reuters reported. And Swiss bank UBS said it is working out a business continuity strategy. Investment bank Lehman Brothers reportedly held an off-site training session to prepare for an epidemic.

The World Bank has estimated the financial cost of a human influenza pandemic could be as much as $800 billion. The avian flu virus has killed 64 people in Asia. It is not currently transmitted among humans but could mutate at any time.

In Great Britian, the Financial Service Authority said it was looking into the implications of avian flu on the financial sector, reminding banks and insurers to update their business continuity plans.

Banks might want to let employees work from home and perhaps close selected branches, the agency said.

Vietnam Confirms 42nd Death

Vietnam, the country hardest hit by bird flu, has confirmed its 42nd human death from the virus. In China, the Swiss maker of Tamiflu said it had stopped selling the antiviral drug in the country and was turning over supplies to the Ministry of Health as officials were ordered to prepare to treat possible human cases of bird flu.

Tamiflu is one of the few drugs believed to be effective against bird flu. In the event of a possible human flu pandemic, “the government is in the best position to handle rapid response and distribution,” the Chinese arm of Roche Holding AG said in a written statement.

There have been no confirmed human deaths from bird flu in China, although the government is investigating the death of a 12-year-old girl and the illnesses of two other people.

China has killed 6 million birds and ordered the immediate closure of all 168 live poultry markets in Beijing. Experts are particularly worried about the Chinese outbreak because of the country's vast poultry industry and because it's on a major migration route.

Canada Warns Duck Hunters

In Canada, a New Brunswick veterinarian is warning duck hunters to be cautious about the Asian bird flu during hunting season. Dr. Jim Goltz says there's no evidence avian flu has arrived in Canada, but if it does, hunters could become carriers of the virus.

Hunters should change their clothes and shoes after handling ducks and wash their hands thoroughly, he said. They should also be sure to thoroughly cook the meat from wild ducks, since cooking kills the virus.

Experts across Canada are testing samples from wild ducks to see just exactly what kinds of strains are in the country, the CBC reported.

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