World faces risk of major new epidemic

World Health Organisation issues emergency travel advisory. Businesses should consider making contingency plans.

The World Health Organisation has warned of the rapid spread of an atypical strain of pneumonia which appears to be resistant to conventional treatments. Reports of the illness have been received from Canada, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Businesses should be aware of the risk to staff, especially those that have recently travelled to any of the affected countries. The new disease could be the cause of a global pandemic.

Read the WHO warning.

PANDEMICS – BUSINESS CONTINUITY RESPONSE
Pandemics cause major economic losses due to absenteeism. Experts predict that during a pandemic up to 30 percent of the global workforce could be off work due to sickness at any one time. Absence levels at the expected rates would cause severe problems.

Possible business continuity measures

•Date: 17th March 2003 •Region: Worldwide •Type: Article •Topic: Warnings
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