With increasing urgency, several governments, nongovernmental organizations, industry groups, and media outlets have trumpeted the potential dangers of avian influenza, commonly called "bird flu." Of the 270 people known to have been infected with avian flu as of January 23, 164 have died. The spread of the virus to humans has largely been accomplished through contact with infected birds. The possibility that the virus will mutate to allow sustained human-to-human transmission has health authorities on high alert.

The World Bank estimates an avian flu pandemic could cause $800 billion in economic damage and disrupt virtually the entire world economy. As such, businesses would be well-advised to ensure their emergency-response and business-continuity plans are up-to-date and include specific planning for dealing with a pandemic. A wide range of experts from the Risk Consulting Practice, Marsh and sister companies Kroll and Mercer Management Consulting contributed to the latest edition of Risk Alert, Avian Flu: Preparing for a Pandemic.

This white paper aims to provide background information on avian and human influenza pandemics; discuss corporate preparedness and business-continuity management (BCM) through the lens of a pandemic; highlight the international implications of a pandemic; and outline some of the potential insurance coverage issues related to pandemics.

Learn more about Marsh's Avian Flu: Preparing for a Pandemic paper.