| There has been a lot of buzz about bird flu or the | | | | Financial markets hit by panic selling, gold prices |
| avian influenza and how it could become a global | | | | soar |
| pandemic. What would a pandemic really mean? | | | | Run on banks as investors convert to cash |
| The federal government just launched a 7 billion | | | | Hospitals see surge in flu patients overwhelming |
| dollar program to help the prevention and out | | | | staff and supplies, only those most likely to live |
| break of a bird flu pandemic. There have only | | | | given access to limited available ventilators |
| been 83 deaths from avian flu worldwide since | | | | Healthcare workers and first responders out sick |
| 2003. Health experts have not yet seen evidence | | | | or stay home to care for ill family members |
| of human to human transmission. So what does it | | | | Public events are canceled and schools are closed |
| mean? And why is everyone so worried about a | | | | Government offices closed, non essential |
| pandemic?This new strain of flu virus would be | | | | services shut down |
| more resistant than other normal flu strains and if | | | | Social services reduced or eliminated. Services still |
| it turns into a form that passes easily from | | | | functioning are overwhelmed |
| person to person, we would have little immunity | | | | Public transportation halted |
| to it. Millions could become ill and millions would die. | | | | Air traffic halted due to air traffic controllers, |
| Once it starts to spread it could move rapidly | | | | airport staff and flight crews out sick |
| around the world infecting millions and affecting | | | | Interstate commerce greatly reduced with truck |
| the lives of everyone. The World Bank, which has | | | | drivers, warehouse and rail workers out sick |
| estimated that a bird flu pandemic lasting a year | | | | Food deliveries, gas deliveries, other essential |
| could, cost the global economy up to $800 billion. | | | | supplies all reduced or eliminated |
| The economic toll on the world economy will be | | | | Grocery stores close due to shipments being |
| catastrophic. What is the worst-case scenario and | | | | eliminated |
| how might it develop?Here is how a bird flu | | | | Food distribution chain from farm to stores |
| pandemic might unfold:Outbreaks of avian flu in | | | | breaks down |
| birds continue in several additional countries | | | | Travel restricted, quarantines mandatory, |
| outside of Southeast Asia including Russia, Africa | | | | enforced by National Guard |
| and the Middle East | | | | Widespread looting and riots over food shortages |
| Human cases of bird flu increase | | | | and access to healthcare |
| Health experts confirm first human-to-human | | | | Local, State police and National Guard |
| transmissions | | | | overwhelmed |
| Flu screening is stepped up at airports around the | | | | Social structure breaks down |
| world for passengers coming from infected | | | | Domestic violence increases as people are forced |
| countries | | | | to stay home |
| Health care workers show signs of increased | | | | Loss of workers affects all businesses across |
| exposure | | | | the economy, including finance, sanitation, utilities, |
| Air travel spreads virus to all corners of the | | | | internet, distribution, energy, retail, tourism and |
| globe within 3 months | | | | travel |
| First confirmed human transmission cases appear | | | | Utility outages increase as coal shipments are |
| in Europe Russia, and the United States | | | | reduced and minimum required staffs at power |
| Outbreaks continue, becoming more widespread | | | | plants and water plants are out sick |
| reaching epidemic status | | | | Funeral homes are overwhelmed as bodies stack |
| Regional stockpiles of antivirals quickly dwindle, | | | | up |
| new high volume production and distribution is 6 | | | | 2nd wave of pandemic bird flu hits |
| months off | | | | Global economy will take years to recover from |
| International flights are reduced or eliminated to | | | | catastrophic losses and loss of trained employees |
| help contain spread of the flu | | | | who diedDoes the above scare you? Think it |
| Billions are lost on international commerce, | | | | won't happen? Well this is the exact scenario your |
| affecting millions of jobs around the world | | | | local, state and federal governments are training |
| US imports from Asian factories halted as Asian | | | | and planning for. How would you survive? It has |
| workers fall ill, US inventories drop | | | | always been recommended to keep 3 days of |
| International trade devastated | | | | supplies on hand to survive a natural disaster. We |
| US economy feels effects of loss of productivity | | | | have seen how the federal government handles |
| due to millions of workers out sick | | | | natural disasters. |