Swine 'flu - What economic impact?

Masomnia

bluey890 wrote: »

Is this Worldwide or UK? Could you provide the source data. Cheers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8154419.stm

29/55,000 * 100 = 0.05%

Worth mentioning that 29 includes people that had previous conditions.

It isn't exact, as that 55,000 is last week, and 29 is today. So it's probably more like 17/55,000. Either way it's very low at the moment.

Cleaver

amcluesent wrote: »

Tamiflu has some preventative effect. The smart move will be to bell the National Flu Service, complain of all the flu symptoms and get your Tamiflu; start taking to minimise the severity of flu infection.

I can see your logic. However, do you not think this is just a tad selfish, bearing in mind that you might take away the opportunity, or at least delay, the vaccine getting to someone who really needs it? Actually, I have a feeling I know your answer to my question already. Never mind.

bluey890

amcluesent wrote: »

Tamiflu has some preventative effect. The smart move will be to bell the National Flu Service, complain of all the flu symptoms and get your Tamiflu; start taking to minimise the severity of flu infection.

You know that the supplies will run out...

I read somewhere that Tamiflu has strong side effects.
If you can get by without it, this may be the preferable option.

Cleaver

Just to bring this back round to the economic side of things... is there a reason that the shares for Roche, the maker of Tamiflu, have been pretty static for the past few months, and are 20% down on last year?

http://www.google.com/finance?q=OTC:RHHBY

Isn't this a product that every government in the world with a bit of cash will be buying in huge volumes? Or are there different manufacturers in different countries? I'd expect to see the share price going through the roof, but then maybe that sums up why I don't buy shares...

Masomnia

Cleaver wrote: »

Just to bring this back round to the economic side of things... is there a reason that the shares for Roche, the maker of Tamiflu, have been pretty static for the past few months, and are 20% down on last year?

http://www.google.com/finance?q=OTC:RHHBY

Isn't this a product that every government in the world with a bit of cash will be buying in huge volumes? Or are there different manufacturers in different countries? I'd expect to see the share price going through the roof, but then maybe that sums up why I don't buy shares...

When was it first announced that swine flu would be a problem? I suppose a certain amount would've been priced in by investors at that point, and if no more than expected had been used then the price won't rise any more. Countries have huge stockpiles of these things anyway, so if they haven't been used up then no more drugs will have been bought.

Maybe they don't own the patent for it, so don't get much for it. Could be a number of reasons I suppose.

amcluesent

Swine Flu Kills 'Healthy' Boy Of Six

A six-year-old boy from Kent who was believed to be otherwise healthy has died after contracting swine flu.

The latest death comes afterBritain's chief medical officer warned that up to 65,000 people could die from swine flu across the UK.

Sir Liam Donaldson also suggested 9% of the workforce could have flu by the end of August, rising to 12% over the winter.

misskool

it is worth remembering that seasonal flu often poses a serious threat to public health - each year it kills 250,000 - 500,000 around the world

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8021958.stm

Approximately 5,000 people die each year from seasonal flu. 29 vs 5,000 (love media spin)

kennyboy66_2

There's going to an awful lot of disappointed people when house prices don't fall by 15% over the next 3 months due to Swine Flu.

michaels

We'll see

I'm not saying due to the deaths and economic damage but I would have thought people are nervous and will just put things off while waiting to see how things pan out.

kennyboy66 wrote: »

There's going to an awful lot of disappointed people when house prices don't fall by 15% over the next 3 months due to Swine Flu.

SingleSue

You want obsessional?

My sister went to the doctors with my niece a week or so ago (not swine flu related) and on her return home, removed all the clothing they had been wearing and threw them away! This is repeated for every time they go on the bus, in the shops, to the school etc, in fact, anywhere where more than 2 people are in attendance....all because she has become paranoid about swine flu.

Mind you, she also insists that people wash their hands in a different sink before doing the washing up. :rotfl:

I'm not that bad yet and probably never will be! :rolleyes: