Bird flu pandemic ‘may trigger world recession’

THREE Indonesian children are feared to be the latest victims of bird flu as the Asian Development Bank warned the disease could trigger a global recession if a pandemic breaks out.

The bank also warned the disease could kill three million people in Asia, and trigger economic carnage in the region worth around €250 billion.

The warning was among several dire scenarios pictured by the bank in a report that examined the likely effects on the region if bird flu produces a human pandemic that slashes consumer demand and sickens millions of workers.