Drug Companies Up, Travel Companies Down

The UK government has a detailed Pandemic Preparedness Plan

The reports of a possible worldwide pandemic of swine-flu have had a significant impact on world financial markets driving stock prices down after recent increases. The biggest losses were felt by companies involved in tourism and travel and at the same time drug companies especially those who produce Tamiflu and Relenza namely Roche and GlaxoSmithKline experienced significant increases in their stock prices. Companies that produce respiratory medical equipment also saw increases in their stock demand.

The swine-flu also had a significant impact on lowering oil prices as investors realized that if people did not travel the amount of oil required would drop.  Stock prices of airlines also fell by as much as ten percent as well as for example Rolls Royce who make the engines for many airlines. At the moment the world is in a very uncertain state especially as it is dealing with a financial crisis from the fallout of the American mortgage market. Something like a worldwide influenza pandemic could send many stocks further down.

There is very little that individuals can do at the moment but sit and wait and hope for the best. If the influenza pandemic does reach United Kingdom the government will issue guidelines about what the public are expected to do. It is likely that people will be asked to wear face masks as much as possible when they are in public places and to wash their hands at any opportunity. The UK government has considerable stocks of both Tamiflu and Relenza and some companies and individuals have their own private supplies of these drugs.

The UK government has a detailed Pandemic Preparedness Plan which it is hoped that they will not have to put into force. Ukmedix News will be looking for updates on outbreaks of this new flu virus around the world.