Friday, April 24, 2009

Flu outbreak could spark supply chain panic

Friday, April 24
Richard Edwards in risk management, supply chain management
It may have gone widely unreported in the western press but, at a time when the global economy is enduring the toughest of tough times, trouble could be brewing on the Mexican US border. In recent weeks a previously undetected form of flu has swept through Mexico City on its way to making its presence felt in California and Texas. To date, over 60 people have died, which should start alarm bells ringing far beyond the confines of Central America.

Supply chain risk is already topping the agenda in boardrooms across the globe, and the emergence of a potentially lethal strain of flu - the threat of which appeared to be receeding - could pose a whole new set of issues for procurement and supply chain operations from Mexico City to Melbourne.

The new flu strain has been linked to that found in swine, avian and human viruses - and its spread - as yet minimal - could soon create a crisis of such magnitude that even the credit crunch could soon be put firmly in the shade.

hat-tip AlaskaDenise

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