WB: Bird Flu Pandemic Cost Could Reach $2 Trillion

December 4, 2007 3:45 p.m. EST

New Delhi, India (AHN) - A top World Bank Official on Tuesday said the possible bird flu pandemic could cost countries around the world some $2 trillion.

Peter Harrold, acting Vice President of the World Bank, said, "The global economic costs could be between 1.5 to two trillion dollars."

Harrold made the statement during an international conference on the bird flu virus in New Delhi, which was attended by some 600 delegate in 105 countries.

He added that some $2.3-billion have been pledged by international donors to aid countries in the campaign against avian flu, and another $1 billion more to groups helping in fighting the threat.

During the conference, it was reported that the risk of having a pandemic of the bird flu virus today is as great as it was two years ago.

Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, said, "About 20 percent of the global population will be affected during the next pandemic."

Over the years, the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus has killed more than 200 people worldwide. In 2007 alone, a total of 48 people died of the infection.