Ward off double whammy

With little definite knowledge of the swine flu, a downward revision of the global growth forecast looks premature at present.

While trying to arrive at a mid-point between concern and reassurance, however, global policymakers need to prepare as early as possible for a worse-than-expected public health emergency that can further deepen the prevalent economic recession.

The looming threat of the swine flu, which has killed more than 100 people in Mexico, has led the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise its alert level from 3 to 4. This is the first time risk has risen above level 3 on the WHO's six-step alert scale since it was adopted, and this underscores the urgency of preparing for a pandemic.