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Firms at bird flu summit are urged to plan for the worst

The World Health Organisation says that the threat is imminent and we must all prepare.

PORTAKABINS for stranded staff to sleep in, the closure of canteens and workplace gyms, and setting up employees so they can work from home are some of the emergency measures British companies would have to take in an outbreak of bird flu. It could even become a disciplinary offence to come into work once infected with the deadly bug.

The first human case of H5N1 avian flu was reported in 1997 but many businesses are only now starting to plan how they would cope with a pandemic that could result in 30% of their staff being off work sick for six months.

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