Bird flu economic pain 'minimal'

The economic impact could be huge, experts say

Asia is likely to escape serious economic damage from the outbreak of bird flu, United Nations officials say.

The disease that has swept through 10 Asian nations has also killed 17 people in Thailand and Vietnam.

But according to the head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, a repeat of 2003's devastating Sars epidemic is unlikely.

So far, he said, the economic damage was limited to isolated sectors such as the poultry industry.

Sars, in contrast, had triggered a massive slowdown of trade and travel.

The respiratory virus killed almost 800 people and was found in more than 30 countries.

Risk

Speaking to reporters in the Philippines, UNESCAP Executive Secretary Kim Hak-Su made sure he remained cautious in his estimate of the potential damage.

If the disease crossed over to humans on a widespread basis - as some experts fear - the economic damage could still move into overdrive, he warned.

The Asian Development Bank has warned of a serious risk to Asian economies should that happen, although it believes the experience gained during the Sars crisis would help mitigate the trouble.

But otherwise, Mr Kim said, the damage would be "not so serious".

Economic progress in the region would be better this year than in 2003, he said.

So far tens of millions of chickens have been culled in the 10 countries affected.

Widespread vaccinations have also been introduced.