Economic Impacts

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 Overview

A worldwide influenza pandemic could have a major effect on the global economy, including travel, trade, tourism, food, consumption and eventually, investment and financial markets. Domestic and international studies of potential economic impacts are presented below.

Planning for pandemic influenza by business and industry is essential to minimize a pandemic's impact. Companies that provide critical infrastructure services, such as power and telecommunications, also have a special responsibility to plan for continued operation in a crisis and should plan accordingly. As with any catastrophe, having a contingency plan is essential. Information about planning and preparation is available in the  Workplace Planning section of this Web site.

 Global Economy

• A Potential Influenza Pandemic: Possible Macroeconomic Effects and Policy Issues
  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) assessment of possible economic effects of an avian flu pandemic concludes that a pandemic involving a highly virulent flu strain (such as the one that caused the pandemic in 1918) could produce a short-run impact on the worldwide economy similar in depth and duration to that of an average postwar recession in the United States.

  • May 22, 2006 Update (PDF) (128KB)
  • December 8, 2005 Report (PDF) (311KB)
• The Economic Impact of Pandemic Influenza in the United States: Priorities for Intervention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  
  A 1999 article that estimates the possible effects of the next influenza pandemic in the United States and analyzes the economic impact of vaccine-based interventions. (September - October 1999)
• The Global Economic and Financial Impact of an Avian Flu Pandemic and the Role of the IMF (PDF - 229 KB) (International Monetary Fund)
  
  Provides a preliminary assessment of the risks and potential impact to the global economy and financial system. Includes summary of the common elements of business continuity planning in the financial sector for pandemic risks. (Feb. 28, 2006)
• Avian Flu Economic Impact (The World Bank)
  
  Read about the global economic impact an influenza pandemic will have.

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 Agricultural Impacts

• Impact Worksheets on Animal Health Events (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)
  
  Find out how the affected country's production and trade in the livestock and livestock products is likely to be affected by the disease.
• FAS (Foreign Agricultural Service) Overseas Attache Reports (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
  
  Provides information on the impact of avian influenza on overseas trade.

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