In what’s thought to be the first report of its kind, BMO Nesbitt Burns has issued a document, titled An Investor’s Guide to Avian Flu.

The report was issued by one of Canada’s largest brokerage firms in the attempt to urge businesses to work with governments to prevent the spread of H5N1.

The report’s author’s believe good planning needs to be in place. The authors say some of the reprecussions of a pandemic would be:

- A dramatic slowdown in the economy, equal to the Great Depression.
- A rampant decline in spending would result from people panicking, which would put a sudden stop in spending.
- High levels of unemployment, with many people unable to work.
- Travel restrictions on the free-flow of goods and people across borders. “In a world that depends so heavily on global trade, this would have a very damaging effect on economic activity,” said Cooper.
- A collapse in the housing market.

The report adds if there were to be a serious pandemic that leads to high death rates, a surge in housing supply would be met with a reduction in demand.

“And just like during the Depression, there would be a collapse in real estate values,” said Cooper.

According to the report, those who have saved their money would be able to then buy property cheaply. But Cooper said too many Canadians these days are over-leveraged, and saddled with too much debt: “And if something goes wrong in their personal income flow, they’re vulnerable.”

Financial common sense is advised.
1) Don’t buy things you cannot afford to buy.
2) Start reducing your debt.
3) Be conservative in your investments

The Flu Wiki addresses logistics.